Pigstone Bay, Skomer, Pembrokeshire
Skomer is the second largest island in Wales after Anglesey and is one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe.
Skomer lies just off the Pembrokeshire coast, separated from the mainland by the turbulent waters of the Jack Sound. The island measures 2 miles east to west and almost 1.5 miles north to south. The central ridge of the island reaches 260 feet high.
Skomer is owned by the Countryside Commission for Wales and leased by them to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. For 9 months of the year, a warden lives on the island.
Half a million seabirds nest on Skomer each year. The sheer cliffs support Guillemots (14,000 individuals), Kittiwakes (2,000 pairs), Razorbills (3,500 individuals) and Fulmars (700 pairs).
Perhaps the most popular bird to see on Skomer is the Puffin and over 6000 pairs breed on the island each year. In addition, the world’s largest colony of Manx Shearwaters (over 150,000 pairs) also breed.
On Skomer’s heath and grassland, Lesser Black-backed Gulls nest (11,000 pairs), together with Great Black-backed Gulls (over 80 pairs) and Herring Gulls (460 pairs). Curlews, Short-eared Owls (who prey on the unique Skomer Vole), Common Buzzards, Kestrels, Peregrine and Oystercatchers can also be seen.
The Skomer beaches are a year round home to one of the largest seal colonies in the south west (up to 200 Atlantic Grey Seals).
Skomer’s waters are Wales’ only statutory Marine Nature Reserve and one of only three in the UK.
Skomer is also well known in springtime for the coloured carpet of Bluebells and Sea and Red Campion and Pink Thrift.
Date: 11th May 2008
Location: Pigstone Bay, Skomer, Pembrokeshire
Skomer lies just off the Pembrokeshire coast, separated from the mainland by the turbulent waters of the Jack Sound. The island measures 2 miles east to west and almost 1.5 miles north to south. The central ridge of the island reaches 260 feet high.
Skomer is owned by the Countryside Commission for Wales and leased by them to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. For 9 months of the year, a warden lives on the island.
Half a million seabirds nest on Skomer each year. The sheer cliffs support Guillemots (14,000 individuals), Kittiwakes (2,000 pairs), Razorbills (3,500 individuals) and Fulmars (700 pairs).
Perhaps the most popular bird to see on Skomer is the Puffin and over 6000 pairs breed on the island each year. In addition, the world’s largest colony of Manx Shearwaters (over 150,000 pairs) also breed.
On Skomer’s heath and grassland, Lesser Black-backed Gulls nest (11,000 pairs), together with Great Black-backed Gulls (over 80 pairs) and Herring Gulls (460 pairs). Curlews, Short-eared Owls (who prey on the unique Skomer Vole), Common Buzzards, Kestrels, Peregrine and Oystercatchers can also be seen.
The Skomer beaches are a year round home to one of the largest seal colonies in the south west (up to 200 Atlantic Grey Seals).
Skomer’s waters are Wales’ only statutory Marine Nature Reserve and one of only three in the UK.
Skomer is also well known in springtime for the coloured carpet of Bluebells and Sea and Red Campion and Pink Thrift.
Date: 11th May 2008
Location: Pigstone Bay, Skomer, Pembrokeshire
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