Skokholm Island, Bird sanctuary island in Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom
Skokholm is an island off the coast of Pembrokeshire with red sandstone cliffs that rise up to 160 feet (49 meters) in the southwest, creating a protective boundary around the site. The 260-acre (105-hectare) expanse is home to numerous seabird species that come to breed during their seasons.
Ronald Lockley founded the first British Bird Observatory on the island in 1933, beginning scientific work that shaped ornithology for decades to come. This research effort made the place a key center for understanding seabird populations and their behavior.
The island's name comes from Norse language roots, combining 'skogr' for wood and 'holmr' for island, showing traces of Viking settlement in the region. You can see this linguistic heritage reflected in how local people refer to and understand the place.
You can stay in renovated farm buildings equipped with solar power, but you need to bring your own food and supplies. The island lacks shower facilities, so come prepared for basic, simple conditions.
The island hosts around 45,000 breeding pairs of Manx Shearwaters and 5,000 pairs of Storm Petrels, representing roughly 20 percent of the European population. These numbers make it one of the most significant sites in Europe for these seabird species.
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