5 Essentials for a Visit to Skomer Island | Puffin Watching

Discover what's in my bag on a trip to Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, with the key things I can't leave behind and what I'd recommend taking on your first trip to visit the puffin colony.
Useful Links -
Boat Trips to Skomer Island:
www.pembrokeshire-islands.co....
Boat Trip Twitter Account:
/ skomer_boatinfo
RSPB Binoculars:
shopping.rspb.org.uk/binocula...
RSPB UK Bird Handbook:
shopping.rspb.org.uk/books-st...
Credits --
Video by Gabriella Carr:
gabriellacarr.co.uk/
Background Music 'Wholesome' by Kevin MacLeod:
incompetech.com/
Puffin Call Audio Snippets by Simon Elliott:
xeno-canto.org/contributor/FF...

[@CapturedWilds]

Just moved to UK. Can't wait to visit Skomer Island. Thank you so much for the video.

[@gabriellacarr]

Thank you, Irtiza! I hope you have a wonderful visit.

[@shortie8512]

I would have advised you to get the 100-400mm rather than a 45-175. Yes, you can get nice close ups with Puffins as they can come in close, but if you plan to do more bird/wildlife photography you very rarely (even in a hide) get as close and many birds are also a lot smaller so you will very quickly out-grow that lens. If/when you do get a 100-400 then hang on to the 45-175 as it'll make a nice, lightweight walk around lens, although the 100-400 isn't that heavy to carry around. I mainly shot with the Olympus 300mm f4 on Skomer and was great for shooting Puffins in flight and on the edges of the cliffs etc

[@gabriellacarr]

Thanks so much for the advice, Alex. I definitely agree about wanting a longer lens and hope to save up for one in future. I'm excited to see the difference it will make for my photography, just as it was exciting to see the benefit upgrading to the 45-175mm. :)

[@craignicoll001]

Great advice I think you covered everything 😀

[@gabriellacarr]

Thank you, Craig! Best of luck on your puffin adventure.

[@stephensmithphotography]

Awesome video, I’m off there tomorrow, weather permitting 😬

[@shawnwyrozub]

this is great, thank you. I just heard about Skomer island from another youtuber but they didn't give any idea how to get there or what to bring. I plan to photograph some Puffins here in Atlantic Canada, and then take a trip to Skomer. thank you again!

[@gabriellacarr]

Thanks for your feedback, Shawn. All links should be ready in the video description for when you want to book your trip!

[@TommyGunner86]

do you think there will still be puffins on the island in the final few weeks of July or will they have all gone by then?

[@gabriellacarr]

Hi Tommy! I believe the puffins (and fledgling pufflings!) should be on Skomer Island until end of July or early August. This is when they will migrate, either further out at sea or to another island over winter. They'll return to Skomer in the spring. So if you go in late July, you'll likely see some but they probably won't be in vast numbers as they are during peak times.

[@alunlambert7456]

Great info, but Pembrokeshire is in Wales not England

[@bamsemh1]

Too much smalltalk. I'm going in the Faroe Islands instead. Luckily not far from mom's home, are the puffins and other birds.
In short.
Good clothing and shoes.
A cap/shades.
Water/coffee/hot chocolate.
A snack or fruit.
Patience.
I just saved you from all the smalltalk. 😊