Anyone walking or taking a boat trip will soon spot the differences between Scilly’s flora and fauna and that of the rest of the British Isles. Here the absence of pollution and lack of frost mean the islands are home to a remarkably wide range of flowers, trees, mosses, grasses, seaweeds and lichens. We want our Island Nature gallery to inspire you to go out and explore our incredible archipelago.
Islands of flowers
Plants such as agapanthus, sour figs, mesembryanthemum and geranium maderense all flourish in our mild, maritime climate – popping up on clifftops, dunes and drystone walls across the islands from early Spring. Less obvious is the rare and beautiful dwarf pansy viola kitabeliana – endangered by rising sea levels but still visible to those prepared to search carefully on Rushy Bay on Bryher.
Our incredible taxidermy collection
At the heart of Scilly’s unique wildlife are our seabirds and rare visitors. Our Natural History collection features 142 stuffed birds originating from Tresco Abbey. These birds were shot in the islands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Records abound of birds being meticulously recorded and observed only to be shot the following day! Possibly the most significant bird in this section is the Eskimo Curlew. What was once one of the most numerous birds in North America, is now thought to be extinct, there being no confirmed sightings since 1987.
Only six Eskimo Curlews ever reached Britain. The Scilly specimen, shot on Tresco in 1887, was the last of these. In America, the Eskimo Curlew was also known as the Butterbird as it stored an enormous amount of fat, making it extremely tasty and causing its demise!
The Isles of Scilly are at a global crossroads: the winds and oceanic currents bring migrant species from all directions. Its unique position means that Scilly has added a number of bird species to the British list, some of which can be seen in our taxidermy collection: the Blue-cheeked Bee-Eater from Eastern Europe and the American Goshawk are two of these. The latter is still the only U.K. record. The Museum has several examples of birds from North America, including the Common Nighthawk. This individual specimen was the first ever to be seen in Britain and was collected on Tresco in 1927.
Birdwatching on Scilly today
The islands attract birdwatchers each Spring and Autumn, eager to catch a glimpse of migrant and vagrant visitors blown to Scilly on the winds. Birds like the Hoopoe,Woodchat, Shrike, Purple Heron and Night Heron are rare visitors brought in by a few days of warm southerly winds. However, climate change means some birds which were once rare visitors are now resident. As the temperature rises species like Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets, rare in the UK until the 1980s, move North and West – often taking up residence on Scilly.
Scilly shrew
While the islands may be lacking common mainland UK species such as the fox or badger, a species of shrew not found on the UK mainland calls Scilly its home – the Scilly shrew! Once thought to be a subspecies specific to the Isles of Scilly, the Scilly shrew is, in fact, a lesser white-toothed shrew, also common on the Channel Islands. The unique habitat of the islands has led the Scilly shrew to adapt to their environment and, having become comfortable with life by the sea, can be seen exploring the rugged Scillonian coastline.
Be a wildlife detective
Our Observation Room offers a different view on our wildlife – from underwater creatures which you might spot on Porthcressa beach to models cast from aquatic creatures including Ocean Sunfish, Common Dolphin, Leather-Backed Turtle and Blue Shark. The picture windows looking out across Porthcressa are a great place to start spotting wildlife but nothing can replace the joys of watching sanderlings and ruddy turnstones scamper over Porthcressa or town beach or standing on the Garrison watch wintering gannets plummet as they dive into the waves. Find out more about all Scilly’s wildlife from our friends at Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust at https://www.ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk
Pop some binoculars in your bag and who knows what you might see from our shores – for those visiting very early in the year you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of humpbacks or fin whales. Watch out for porpoises, common and rissos dolphons from boats or take a Boatmans Association wildlife boat trip with one of their expert guides. Most of all get out and about and explore – and who knows what you might spot on Scilly!
