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Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, is a wildlife photographer’s paradise – a rugged, windswept sanctuary teeming with seabirds, wildflowers, & breathtaking coastal scenery. Over four days in late Spring 2025, I led a group which stayed overnight for several nights to explore this extraordinary island, we all had cameras in hand, documenting its avian residents & their captivating behaviours.
Day 1 – Arrival & First Encounters
The weather was mixed as we transferred by boat from Martins Haven to Skomer Island, but the intermittent sunshine offered promising conditions. After settling in, we took a walk to familiarise those who had not been to Skomer previously with key locations.
Our first photographic subjects were the iconic Atlantic Puffins, perched on the cliffs of The Wick, Garland Stone, & High Cliff. These charismatic birds, with their bright bills & comical waddling gait, were busy flying in with sand-eels or standing sentry at their burrows.
As we traversed North Valley, Short-eared Owls glided silently overhead, their broad wings cutting through the evening light – a magical sight. We attempted golden hour shots, but the shifting clouds limited us to backlit compositions before the light faded.
Day 2 – The Island to Ourselves
The day dawned fine but very windy, forcing the cancellation of day boats – leaving us with the rare privilege of having Skomer entirely to ourselves.
We rose early to chase the sunrise, capturing Atlantic Puffins bathed in golden light. The morning was particularly productive, with the Atlantic Puffins carrying sand-eels in their bills, Choughs performing acrobatic flights, & Razorbills & Guillemots clustered on the cliffs. A Grey Seal lounged near The Landing, watching us with mild curiosity.
In the afternoon, we turned our lenses to Northern Fulmars soaring effortlessly on the breeze, Wrens flitting through the undergrowth, & Pippits & Warblers singing from the bracken.
The evening brought another attempt at golden hour photography. Though the light was fleeting, we managed striking Atlantic Puffin silhouettes against a shimmering sea before clouds rolled in, denying us the perfect shot.
Day 3 – Bluebells & Owls
The wind had calmed, but clouds dominated the sky. Undeterred, we ventured out before dawn to photograph Atlantic Puffins in the soft morning light – some posed against the dark cliffs of The Wick, while others foraged amongst the delicate White Campion flowers.
The afternoon yielded sightings of a Shoveler Duck on the island’s ponds, Linnets perched on gorse, & a Curlew probing the grassland with its long bill. Best of all, the Short-eared Owls reappeared, hunting over meadows still dotted with the last of the season’s bluebells – a dream scene for any wildlife photographer.
Rain & high winds arrived that evening, cutting short our final photography session.
Day 4 – Farewell to Skomer
The morning was damp & cloudy, but the winds had eased enough for our return boat to Martins Haven. As we departed, we reflected on the incredible encounters & near-misses – the ever-changing weather had challenged us, but Skomer’s wildlife had more than compensated.
Species Photographed on This Trip
- Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) – Carrying sandeels, in flight, amongst wildflowers
- Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) – Hunting over North Valley & bluebell meadows
- Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) – Aerobatic flights, red bills gleaming
- Razorbill (Alca torda) – Nesting on cliff ledges
- Guillemot (Uria aalge) – Crowded on cliffs
- Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) – Resting near The Landing
- Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) – Gliding effortlessly on updrafts
- Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) – Singing from dense vegetation
- Meadow Pippit (Anthus pratensis) – Perched on fence posts
- Sedge Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) – Flitting through bracken
- Shoveler Duck (Spatula clypeata) – Dabbling in island ponds
- Linnet (Linaria cannabina) – Feeding on seed heads
- Curlew (Numenius arquata) – Probing the grasslands
Skomer never fails to deliver unforgettable wildlife spectacles. Whether it’s puffins bustling along cliff paths, owls quartering at dusk, or the ever-present chorus of seabirds, this island is a treasure trove for photographers & nature lovers alike.
