Yahoo News The British island with the UK's largest puffin colony and cute baby bunnies
Just a mile off the coast of Pembrokeshire, a tiny island is home to over 40,000 seabirds. Skomer, known for its adorable puffin colony, may be small in size but it's big on wildlife.
In addition to the unique seafaring birds, the island also boasts the world's largest Manx Shearwater colony (350,000 pairs), along with other seabirds such as razorbills, guillemots, peregrine falcons and kittiwakes. Just a short 20-minute boat ride from the mainland, the island makes for an ideal day trip.
Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Skomer is managed by The Wildlife Trust and holds the distinction of being Wales's only marine nature reserve. During peak holiday season, up to 250 visitors a day can explore the 2 by 1.5-mile island, where the puffins and their companions roam freely.
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Home to Britain's largest breeding puffin colony, with a total of 42,513 recorded last year, the island's next cutest inhabitants are the young rabbits that can be seen bounding through the grassland in spring. The surrounding waters teem with marine life, including a large population of Atlantic grey seals, as well as porpoises, dolphins, and even whales.
Visitors to the island are greeted by a sea of bluebells and a blanket of pink campions at certain times of the year, covering most of the island. The Wick, a sheer cliff with ledges perfectly suited for nesting seabirds, is the prime location for puffin spotting, reports the Mirror.
The island's centre houses a ruined farm that serves as an education room, interpretation centre, and hostel with accommodation for up to 16 people. While there are four compost toilets at the farm, no food or drink is provided, so visitors are advised to bring their own refreshments.
A limited number of wildlife enthusiasts can stay overnight on the island if they manage to secure a spot at the hostel. The experience of staying up late to watch the wildlife return to the island is touted as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For those who prefer to stay on the mainland, the village of Marloes boasts the popular pub The Lobster Pot, while Little Haven provides easy access to Martin's Haven, where visitors can catch the boat to the island.
Boat trips are available from now until September. Crossings are priced at £30 per adult and £24 per child (aged 2-11) for trips that land on the island.
