The Pembrokeshire islands, scattered just off the south-west coast of Wales, are among the most important wildlife sanctuaries in the British Isles. Shaped by Atlantic winds and tides, these islands feel wild and remote despite their proximity to the mainland, offering dramatic landscapes and exceptional natural diversity.
Skomer, Skokholm, Ramsey, and Grassholm are the best known of the group, each with its own character. Skomer and Skokholm are internationally renowned for their seabird colonies, hosting puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and vast numbers of Manx shearwaters. Grassholm supports one of the world’s largest gannet colonies, where tens of thousands of birds nest on steep cliffs. Ramsey Island, with its rugged terrain and tidal races, is home to choughs, peregrine falcons, seals, and rich marine life.
The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is one of the most recognisable seabirds in the North Atlantic, famous for its colourful bill and penguin-like stance. Often called the “clown of the sea” puffins are well adapted to life sea and only come ashore to breed. Adult Atlantic puffins typically stand about 25–30 cm tall. They are compact stocky birds, weighing between 300 and 500 grams...
Skomer Island lies just off the Pembrokeshire coast and is one of Britain’s most important wildlife havens. The island covers around 300 hectares, and supports an extraordinary concentration of birds, mammals, and plant life. Protected as a National Nature Reserve, Skomer offers a rare opportunity to experience wildlife at close close up. The island is best known for its seabirds. Each spring...
Ramsey Island lies just off the coast of the St Davids headland in view of Whitesands beach. It’s surrounded by a network of smaller islands and islets. These including Bancyn-ffald Carreg-trai and the Bishops and Clerks group. The island is an RSPB bird reserve with the perfect habitat for breeding Choughs. Peregrine Falcons are also numerous on Ramsey with its 300 ft plus sea cliffs. Other...
