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Natural Environment

A group of harbor seals rest on rocky outcrops covered in seaweed, partially submerged in calm water at sunset—a peaceful scene that captures the essence of life on Enlli.
A field of wildflowers in silhouette against a colorful sunset sky, with the sun low on the horizon and purple, pink, and orange hues—perfect for celebrating your bardsey island membership.
A stone jetty with netting extends into calm, shallow water—rocks and wooden posts in the distance evoke the tranquil pace of life on Enlli under a clear sky.
A tall pink foxglove flower grows on a grassy, rocky hill overlooking the waters near Ynys Enlli and distant hills under a clear sky.
A black cormorant sits on a rocky outcrop by the sea, with two white seagulls standing on rocks in the foreground—a tranquil scene often preserved by the Bardsey Island Trust.
Aerial view of a narrow rocky peninsula extending into the sea, featuring a lighthouse and scattered buildings managed by the Bardsey Island Trust, with hills and clouds in the distance.

Stunning scenery, a busy dolphin and porpoise highway, and one of Wales' key bird migratory routes

Ynys Enlli is renowned for its wildlife and is a perfect place to see Choughs, Grey Seals, Puffins and Manx shearwaters. There have been 332 species of birds recorded on the island, and it is a key migratory routes for birds.

The sights, sounds and smells of Enlli’s wildlife are unforgettable. Sit and listen to the seals singing on a calm Summers day, listen to the Manx Shearwaters arriving back to land overnight and calling to one another under our dark skies, or lie amongst the bright pink thrift which flowers across the coastal edges of the island.

A small bird perches on a thin branch among sparse, leafless stems with a blurred green background, evoking the tranquil landscapes of Ynys Enlli.

Stonechat

Designations

A Site of Special Scientific Interest

Bardsey is a National Nature Reserve and is a site which is both nationally and internationally important for wildlife. The wide range of special interest includes birds, with Bardsey sitting on a key migratory route for Europe’s birds. Home to rare flowering plants, lichens, liverworts and mosses, coastal grassland and heathland, sea-cliff ledges and marine wildlife.

The Bardsey Island Trust, as owners, and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), as the Welsh Government’s advisory body on wildlife conservation, ensure that the island’s wildlife interest is protected for the future. The important features of the island’s natural history are managed through the island farm, whilst the Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory monitor the islands wildlife

A group of harbor seals rest on rocky outcrops covered in seaweed, partially submerged in calm water at sunset—a peaceful scene that captures the essence of life on Enlli.

grey seal haul out

Wildlife

The perfect place to connect with nature

Visit during the bird migratory season and you might chance upon some rare visitors on their way to breeding grounds. Stay overnight and experience the haunting sounds of over 25,000 Manx Shearwaters arriving to breed on Enlli, one of the world’s most important sites for these incredible seabirds. Grey Seals pup in early Autumn, and dolphin, porpoise and whales are regularly seen in the waters around Enlli.

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Dark Sky Sanctuary

Proud to be the first Dark Sky Sanctuary in Europe

International Dark-sky Association

Benefiting wildlife, people and a way of connecting us to our heritage, Enlli’s Dark Skies are some of the darkest in Europe, having been certified with the darkest designation possible, a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark Skies Association in 2023 after 10 years of monitoring.

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A night sky with visible stars and the aurora borealis shines above a white house in a rural setting, reminiscent of the tranquil landscapes supported by the Bardsey Island Trust.

Aurora Borealis over Enlli

A weathered wooden barn stands under a clear night sky filled with stars, echoing the timeless charm preserved by the Bardsey Island Trust.

Stars above Enlli

A small house with a lit window sits beneath a star-filled sky with visible star trails, nestled in shrubs and trees—a tranquil scene reminiscent of a dark sky sanctuary.

The night sky

A calf lies in tall grass in the foreground of a field on Ynys Enlli, with several cows grazing in the background and a lighthouse visible in the distance.

the cows of enlli

Farming

Nature friendly farming in action

The island has been farmed or cultivated in some way for hundreds of years. Old field boundaries can still be clearly seen from the mountain today, with a complex system of fields.

Through close collaboration with the Bardsey Island Trust, Natural Resources Wales, and BBFO, the farmer, Gareth Roberts manages the farm for the wildlife that makes the island so special. Grass sword length is kept low in certain areas to benefit Chough feeding grounds. Wetlands are grazed by cattle at the right times to support vibrant wildflowers such as the Common Spotted orchids.

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