Little Skellig

Little Skellig (Irish: Sceilig Bheag) is a small, steep rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean, 11 km off the Iveragh Peninsula of County Kerry, Ireland.[2] It is one of the two Skellig Islands, together with the larger Skellig Michael. Little Skellig is a nature reserve and bird colony. Landing on Little Skellig is not allowed.[2]

Little Skellig
Native name:
Sceilig Bheag
Little Skellig
Little Skellig
Little Skellig (Ireland)
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates51.766°N 10.533°W / 51.766; -10.533
Area8 ha (20 acres)[1]
Highest elevation134 m (440 ft)[2]
Administration
CountyKerry
Demographics
Population0
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Geography

Little Skellig is the smaller of the two Skellig Islands, the other being Skellig Michael, 1 km to the south-west.[1] The islands rose c. 374–360 million years ago during a period of mountain formation, along with the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountain range. Later, they were separated from the mainland by rising water levels.[3][4]

Wildlife

The island has a large bird population, including a colony of northern gannets which is the largest in Ireland,[1] and one of the largest in the world.[2] The island, together with Skellig Michael, is part of a 364 ha Important Bird Area established by BirdWatch Ireland in 2000.[1] BirdWatch Ireland has designated Little Skellig as a nature preserve. It houses over 35,000 breeding pairs of gannets.

References
  1. "The Skelligs: Great Skellig and Little Skellig". BirdLife International. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  2. "Little Skellig, Co. Kerry". BirdWatch Ireland. 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  3. Bourke et al. 2011, p. 3.
  4. Site Management Plan.

Sources
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