A Great Skua or Bonxie chick at two days old by its Isle of Noss, Shetland nest site SCO 7759
Image details
Contributor:
David Gowans / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
CBF1KGFile size:
65 MB (3.5 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5472 x 4153 px | 46.3 x 35.2 cm | 18.2 x 13.8 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
17 June 2011Location:
Noss, Shetland, Scotland, United Kingdom.More information:
Lying to the east of Lerwick the island of Bressay, 11x8 km (7x3 miles), creates a superb sheltered harbour for shipping - the reason for Lerwick's establishment as a major trading port. From Viking times Bressay Sound has provided a safe anchorage and in the mid 17th century up to 1, 500 Dutch herring fishing vessels gathered here. Noss, a small island off the east coast of Bressay, is a National Nature Reserve with over 100, 000 pairs of breeding seabirds. The island is also part of a sheep farm and demonstrates a good example of conservation and agricultural practices working together. Noss is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage and staffed by seasonal wardens who provide a weather-permitting summer boat service. Noss has been a National Nature Reserve since 1955. The island is linked to Bressay by a seasonal ferry service, run by the wildlife wardens using a rigid-hulled inflatable boat. Attractions on Noss include a visitor centre, the Pony Pund built to breed Shetland Ponies, the Holm of Noss rock and the Noup cliff. The sandstone cliffs of Noss have weathered into a series of horizontal ledges making ideal breeding grounds for gannets, puffins, guillemots, shags, Black-legged Kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars and great skuas. Otters are frequently seen around the island.