visiting skomer

[Ukwildlifeo]

My Girlfriend and I are planning to visit skomer for a short break. Has anyone been? When is best to visit to see puffins and other seabirds? And has anyone got any tips on where to stay?

[kml]

We have visited nearby Ramsey and it was fantastic.I googled it and quite alot of info comes up. The experts describe it at a birdwatchers paradise, the best time to visit is spring when the coastal flowers and bluebells are out.There are Guillemots (14,000), Kittiwakes (2000), Razorbills (3,500), Fulmars (700 pairs)Manx shearwaters (150,000 pairs) this is the largest conolony in the world, the most famous of all has to be the Puffin, there are over 6,000 pairs that breed on the island each year.The land seperating the island from the mainland has, Shags (30 pairs) and Cormorants (16 pairs) a variety of gulls also nest on the island aswell as Curlews,Short-eared Owls,Buzzards,Kestrels, Peregrine and Oystercatchers.The waters around are rich in life too you will probably see seals and keep your eyes open for Porposises and Dolphins it`s not uncommon to see them in that area.
There was a thread on Puffins around somewhere that had the times of year they come to shore.It only gives a small window of opportunity to see them.
Hope this helps.
Kate

[stripee]

May is lovely on the pembrokeshire coast. I have been out in a boat around Ramsey it is a great experience and have seen the seals. I havent visited skomer although seen it many times from the cliffs and seen the dolphins

[stripee]

just to add, the youth hostels along the pembs and cardigan coast used to be very good, I don't know if they are all still operating. Otherwise, the local towns all have b & b etc.