Skokholm Island

Skokholm is the first Island outside the Haven after passing St Ann's Head, lying just south of the neighbouring island of Skomer. Skokholm is separated from Skomer by the Wild Goose Race.

The flat top of Skokholm Island is home to nearly 40,000 pairs of Manx Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, herring gulls, lesser and great black-backed gulls, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, while the 150 ft cliffs hold Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Peregrines, and Fulmars.

Along with the neighbouring islands of Skomer and Grassholm, it forms one of the most important seabird breeding sites in Europe. These three islands (along with Middleholm, which is close to Skomer) can boast over one hundred and fifty thousand pairs, which is in excess of half the world's population of Manx shearwaters. Skokholm also has a population of some 6,000 pairs of storm petrels.

Skokholm Island has an area of one square kilometre and is known for its red sandstone cliffs.

There is a lighthouse on the western headland, unfortunately the lighthouse is no longer manned but it does possess a unique red filter modification on the landward side to prevent birds being dazzled night and is run by solar power. Read more about the Skokholm Lighthouse.

Porpoises can often be seen feeding around the island, along with bottle-nosed dolphins, Risso’s dolphin, and minke whales. Grey seals breed in the autumn on the island’s tiny beaches and in secluded caves. The best place to watch the Seals is from South Haven on Skokholm.

Skokholm Island Nature Reserve is owned and managed by the Wildlife Trust West Wales. Skokholm Island together with Skomer and Middleholm is managed by the Wildlife Trust West Wales, Skokholm was purchased by the Wildlife Trust in 2006.

Skokholm was made famous by the naturalist and author Ronald Lockley, who set up the first bird observatory in Britain there in 1933, and as a result, there is probably be no more written-about island anywhere. It is one of the most important seabird breeding sites in Europe and the island is internationally recognised for its importance to wildlife, classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).