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Bird paradise  |
Skokholm on the Pembrokeshire coast is a great place
to watch sea birds in the summer. Its rocky cliffs provide a great breeding habitat
for Puffins, Manx Shearwater, Guillemots and Razorbills. | | Skokholm
Island - a rocky island off the Welsh coast. |
Skokholm has been described as 'the ultimate get-away experience'.
The
island is four kilometres south west of Marloes peninsular off the south west
tip of Pembrokeshire. Skokholm Island is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI), and forms part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
It
is also part of the Pembrokeshire Islands special area of conservation  Rugged
landscape
The island is roughly a mile in length and half a mile
across at its widest point (100ha). Old Red sandstone cliffs rise from 21m
in the north east to 48m in the south west and are frequently battered by storms.
This onslaught formed a coastline of deep bays and gullies exposing much
of the underlying rock strata in a variety of red and purple hues. Surrounded
by cliffs the island is a plateau sloping from south west to north east with few
undulations but several rocky outcrops. Grey Seals are present in the waters
around the island throughout the year, and can be seen basking on rocks at low
water daily. There are also regular sightings of Harbour Porpoise, Common,
Bottlenose and Risso's Dolphins.  Flora
and fauna
Skokholm's maritime grassland is a rare example of
rabbit-maintained vegetation. The rabbits were introduced to the island
in Norman times as a source of food, and have been present ever since. The
invertebrate fauna contains many nationally rare species, and the lichens of cliffs
and outcrops are of great interest. One common sight in summer is a mass
of Sea Campion which can withstand the island's dry habitat. It's also a
popular food source for the rabbit population.  Sea
birds
The colony of Manx Shearwaters on Skokholm and a neighbouring
island represents about 50% of the world population. Breeding Storm Petrels
may be 20% of the EU population. These two birds spend most of their lives
at sea, only coming ashore to breed. These largely nocturnal birds are best
seen at twilight. The island is home to 4500 Puffins, and approximately
2000 Razorbills and Guillemots breed on its cliffs. In addition look out
for Fulmars, Razorbills, and Guillemots as well as Peregrines, Buzzards, Rock
Pipit, Chough and Ravens.  Something
for everyone
Near the centre of the island are a cottage and
other converted farm buildings that shelter in the lee of a rocky outcrop. These
provide accommodation for staff and up to 15 residential visitors or volunteers
at a time. At the south eastern tip of the island is an unmanned lighthouse. Skokholm
has something for everyone... Wildlife enthusiasts are in their element,
artists love it, photographers snap up the opportunities to shoot the wildlife,
and visitors find the experience relaxing and exhilarating.  Photo
credits
Images of flora and fauna courtesy
and copyright of Sid Howells, Terry
Cavner, Stephen and Marion Fryatt and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.
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