The Gannets of the Skellig Islands

The Gannets of the Little Skelligs are truly amazing. The whole Island turns white in the summer months from the vast number of Gannets nesting there(27,000 Pairs), and from a distance it almost looks like the Island is covered with Snow but of course it is not.  The colony on the Small Skelligs is the largest in Europe and is one of only 3 in Ireland. The other two are 25km to the south-east on Bull Rock, and on the Saltee in the south-east but  numbers of Gannets there are tiny in comparison to the Skelligs. The Gannets only nest on the Little Skelligs and not on Skellig Michael due to the difference in habitat on both Islands but after you finish exploring Skellig Michael, we will take you close to the Small Skellig on the way home to see the Gannets, Seals and other birds nesting there. Treat the Islands and wildlife  with Care and respect at all times and for sure you will enjoy you trip to Skelligs with Joe Roddy & Sons.     Ken@skelligstrips.com       087 1209924

 

Here you can see a nesting Fulmar on Skellig Michael looking after her chick. Fulmars formally confined to more northerly seas, began to colonise Ireland in 1911.  Now they have established themselves on all rocky coasts and islands and the Irish breeding population is estimated to be over 20,000 Pairs.  Fulmars are long lived birds with records showing  one bird ringed as a chick, still breeding well at the age of 35. They don't reach maturity until they are 6 to 12 Years old and the population on Skellig Michael is around 600 pairs. Fulmars range far and wide over the North Atlantic and birds ringed at Irish colonies have been found on the Grand banks off Newfoundland, and also in Greenland waters. You will get some great close up views of these birds once again when you visit Skellig Michael but again, respect the island and the wildlife at all times.

Guillemots like Puffins and Razorbills are collectively knows as Auks and are rather Penguin-like with upright stances, black backs with white fronts. Unlike penguins though, Guillemots are well able to fly but just like penguins, they use their wings like flippers underwater to chase and catch small fish. Guillemots lay a single pear-shaped egg on open rock ledges usually in a dense crowd. Again, you can expect to get some close up views of these beautiful little birds when you come on a trip with us to the Skellig Islands.

Razorbills at Skellig Michael

From a distance Razorbills and Guillemots can be a little difficult to tell apart. The Razorbill is smaller and slightly darker on its back with a distinctive flattened bill with a vertical white stripe. Guillemots are more chocolate brown with a pointy dagger shaped bill. Razorbills are more solitary than Guillemots and tent to nest in crevices. 

Rock Pipit Land bird of Great Skellig

The Rock pipit is almost exclusively a coastal bird although birds from Scandinavia do migrate and may turn up elsewhere. They are larger than Meadow Pipits, almost as big as a Tawny Pipit, and they are strikingly dark, so much so that the black streaks on their under parts become almost lost in a dark grey-brown wash. High numbers of these insectivorous Rock pipits and also Wrens live on Skellig Michael all year round.

Shags

This is a nice shot of a Shag as you can clearly see the crest on its head which is only visible in the Spring time.  Its quiet common to See these birds around the rocky shore-line at Skelligs all through the season and they are most notable when they stand with their wings outstretched to dry in the sun.

Pigeons