Wild Islands Appeal – Skomer & Skokholm

Skomer Puffin & Skomer Campion — Credit: Mike Alexander

Iconic Wild Islands

Skomer and Skokholm are internationally renowned for their biodiversity, dramatic landscapes and cultural heritage. Recognised as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, they are among the most important seabird breeding sites in Britain.

Together, they host the world’s largest colony of Manx shearwaters, alongside significant populations of puffins, storm petrels, guillemots and razorbills.

Protecting Fragile Ecosystems

A dedicated team of staff and volunteers works year-round to safeguard these islands — protecting seabirds from disturbance, preventing the introduction of invasive species, and carefully managing access for over 20,000 visitors annually.

This balance ensures that people can experience these remarkable places while preserving the delicate ecosystems that make them so special.

Monitoring for the Future

The annual seabird monitoring programme is one of the most significant and long-standing conservation efforts on the islands, running continuously since 1959.

Researchers count breeding pairs, track survival rates, and assess the health of seabird populations — generating invaluable data that helps understand environmental change and emerging threats.

These include plastic pollution, overfishing, marine heatwaves, avian influenza and the evolving impact of offshore renewable developments.

The Cost of Conservation

Maintaining these remote island reserves is a complex and costly undertaking. Boats, specialist equipment, staff accommodation, and essential infrastructure must all be maintained in harsh coastal conditions.

Skilled ornithologists rely on high-quality optics, cameras and monitoring tools to carry out their work — ensuring that seabird populations can continue to be studied and protected effectively.

Discovering Skomer aboard MS Hebridean Sky

Enduring Impact

Through the Wild Islands Appeal, NCCT is helping to support the long-term protection of these extraordinary seabird colonies.

Your support will contribute directly to conservation efforts — ensuring that Skomer and Skokholm remain thriving wildlife havens for generations to come.