Skomer is home to one of the most spectacular and accessible seabird colonies in Europe. Gulls, puffins, guillemots, razorbills and Manx shearwaters are just some of the birds you can see in season along with a range of other birds, insects and small mammals including the prolific but elusive Skomer vole. The islands unique status is recognised by its designation as National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Where is Skomer? Click here for a map.What to see on the islandPuffins are the island's best known residents, nesting in burrows on the turf on the island's cliff top. Bear in mind if you're heading out to Skomer that the Puffins have mostly departed by mid-Summer.
On the cliffs you'll find a wide variety of seabirds including Razorbills, Guillemots and Kittiwakes. Herring Gulls and Great Black-Backed Gulls nest on rocky outcrops, with the lesser black-backed gulls on the plateau.The island has an internationally important population of Manx Shearwaters. Feeding at sea by day, they return to their nests in rabbit burrows at night. The birds make a huge noise with their raucous coughing calls as they fly in to the island.
Skomer is also one of the best places in the British Isles to see grey seals - they can be seen on rocks at low tide throughout the year, especially near the Garland Stone. From late August to October the female seals come ashore to have their pups.
Want to know more about the island's seal population?
Click here to read more from the island's warden Juan Brown.
VegetationIn spring and early summer Skomer has some of the best wild flower displays in western Britain. Spring sees an eye-popping bloom of Bluebells carpet large sections of the island. Island vegetation is shaped by wind and salt, manured and trampled by seabirds, and grazed by thousands of rabbits. Red Campion flourish in sheltered areas, with thrift and sea campion on the clifftops.The sea surrounding Skomer and the Marloes peninsula is also part of the
Skomer Marine Nature Reserve. While the island of Skomer itself is run by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales under a lease from the Countryside Council of Wales, the Marine Nature Reserve is one of only three in Wales and is managed directly by the CCW itself.
Skomer Island is accessible by boat from 1st April to 31st October (weather permitting) and there's a fee payable for visiting, so contact the Wildlife Trust before departing for more details.
Skomer Island in the News:
Sept 2005: Work on target for £3.2 million Skomer visitor centre
Feb 2005: Skomer considers curb on fishing
July 2004: 'Hundreds' of dolphins spotted off Skomer
April 2004: Early seal pup arrivale causes stirApril 2004: Skomer's first barn owls for 100 years
| Location: | From Haverfordwest take the B4327 to Dale/Marloes; pass through the village of Marloes to Martinshaven. The route is clearly sign-posted from the B4327 and there is a Car Park (small parking fee payable to The National Trust) close to the landing stage. |
| Sailing times: | 10.00 a.m., 11.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon - and more frequently on demand. Return from 3.00 p.m. hourly. Length of crossing: 15 minutes approx. (no booking required). Boat Fee: Adults £8.00; Children £6.00 return (payable to the ferry company, Dale Sailing, on board). Landing Fee: (which pays towards the wildlife conservation costs on the island, run by The Wildlife Trust South and West Wales): Adults £6.00; Retired £5.00; Students over 16 £3.00; under 16 f.o.c. (payable on landing). |
| More information: | The Wildlife Trust South and West Wales, Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, Cardigan, Ceredigion SA43 2TB
Telephone: 01656 724100
Email - island nature reserve: info@welshwildlife.org
Email - marine nature reserve: skomer.mnr@ccw.gov.uk
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