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 is located in island of Ireland
Little Skellig
Little Skellig
Little Skellig (Ireland)
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates51°45′58″N 10°31′59″W / 51.766°N 10.533°W / 51.766; -10.533
Area8 ha (20 acres)[1]
Highest elevation134 m (440 ft)[2]
Administration
CountyKerry
Demographics
Population0

Geography

edit

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

edit

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

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

Sources

edit