Flight-free trips from the UK: Best adventures by rail, road or water
The UK’s offshore islands are perhaps some of the best places to see wildlife. which is why a visit to Pembrokeshire and the islands of Skomer and Ramsey should be high on any list of wild adventures. A protected bird reserve since 1959, the Atlantic puffins arrive at Skomer in mid-April to make their nests in tiny burrows. After three months of rearing young, the last few birds head north after the breeding season in late July. This is when the grey seals enjoy some time in the limelight. Females can be spotted with their young around the islands of Skomer and Ramsey between August and November, when fluffy white youngsters are still suckling, then weening and, of course, playing in the shallows. In fact, this region is the largest grey seal pupping site in southern Britain. From April to October, Falcon Boats[1] – based in St. David’s – run tours to both islands – looking for not only puffins and grey seals, but also other sea birds (including Manx shearwaters, razorbills and black-legged kittiwakes), dolphins, porpoises and sometimes, even, whales. The marine experts leading the trips provide full commentary, so you can learn about the environment and animals as you go.