Skomer Island

Situated at the southern end of St Brides Bay Skomer island is the only Marine Nature Reserve in Wales, a Special Site of Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve and a Special Protection Area.

At 292ha it is an important habitat for numerous colonising sea birds including puffins, razorbills and guillemots. Skomer along with Skokholm provides the breeding ground for approximately 45% of the worlds population of manx shearwater.

Skomer Island has no trees but has a diverse lichen population and rich maritime flora. In spring the island is covered in bluebells and in the summer bracken covers most it.

The Skomer bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus skomerensis) is unique to Skomer, it can be found amongst the bracken that it feeds on. Last year numbers of the the Skomer bank vole reached 20,000. It's an important prey species to kestrels, short-eared owls and little owls.

Grey seals can be seen around Skomer all year round and also breed on the island.

The island is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, visit their website for more information on Skomer island.