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Norrard Rocks
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Norrard Rocks
The Norrard (Northern) Rocks are a group of small uninhabited granite rocks in the north-western part of the Isles of Scilly, to the west of Bryher and Samson. In 1971 they were designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for their breeding seabird colonies and they are permanently closed to landings from boat passengers. The vegetation on the islands is limited by the extreme exposure and only six species of flowering plants have been recorded.
The islands are largely managed as nature reserves by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, principally for breeding seabirds and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). The only breeding sites for European storm-petrel in England are on the Isles of Scilly with eleven colonies and an estimated 1475 occupied sites (i.e. breeding pairs). There are only three small breeding colonies on the Norrard Rocks; Mincarlo, Illiswilgig and Castle Bryher with a total of 37 pairs. Other seabirds breeding within the SSSI are fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), guillemot (Uria aalge), lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) and herring gull (L argentatus). The rove beetle (Omalium allardi) has been recorded on several of the islands.
The islands and rocks are listed below in decreasing order of area.
(Cornish: Gwydhyel, lit. 'place of trees') (grid reference SV866152) 5.82 hectares (14.4 acres) and 32 metres (105 ft) high.
Gweal is a small rocky island consisting of two hills linked by a boulder beach, just off the west coast of Bryher and is an occasional pupping site for grey seals. Plants recorded are sea beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima), rock sea-spurrey (Spergularia rupicola), common scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis), thrift (Armeria maritima) and tree mallow (Lavatera arborea). Twenty-three cattle were salvaged from the Sussex, which was wrecked on Seal Rock, were landed on Gweal in 1885.
(grid reference SV859156) 1.98 hectares (4.9 acres)
Scilly Rock (Cornish: Karrek Syllan) is just over 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) west of Bryher is a large rock, divided by a deep chasm into two parts with a maximum height of 22 metres (72 ft). Each part has a summit named North Cuckoo and South Cuckoo. Landing is difficult and only possible in calm conditions. It is reputedly the island from which the rest of the archipelago gets its name because it was the first part to become separate from the original main island. fr. Puffin (Fratercula arctica) breed and the only plants recorded are rock sea-spurrey and oraches (Atriplex) species.
(Cornish: Men Karleyth, lit. 'rayfish stone') (grid reference SV853129) 1.82 hectares (4.5 acres)
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Norrard Rocks
The Norrard (Northern) Rocks are a group of small uninhabited granite rocks in the north-western part of the Isles of Scilly, to the west of Bryher and Samson. In 1971 they were designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for their breeding seabird colonies and they are permanently closed to landings from boat passengers. The vegetation on the islands is limited by the extreme exposure and only six species of flowering plants have been recorded.
The islands are largely managed as nature reserves by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, principally for breeding seabirds and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). The only breeding sites for European storm-petrel in England are on the Isles of Scilly with eleven colonies and an estimated 1475 occupied sites (i.e. breeding pairs). There are only three small breeding colonies on the Norrard Rocks; Mincarlo, Illiswilgig and Castle Bryher with a total of 37 pairs. Other seabirds breeding within the SSSI are fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), guillemot (Uria aalge), lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus) and herring gull (L argentatus). The rove beetle (Omalium allardi) has been recorded on several of the islands.
The islands and rocks are listed below in decreasing order of area.
(Cornish: Gwydhyel, lit. 'place of trees') (grid reference SV866152) 5.82 hectares (14.4 acres) and 32 metres (105 ft) high.
Gweal is a small rocky island consisting of two hills linked by a boulder beach, just off the west coast of Bryher and is an occasional pupping site for grey seals. Plants recorded are sea beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima), rock sea-spurrey (Spergularia rupicola), common scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis), thrift (Armeria maritima) and tree mallow (Lavatera arborea). Twenty-three cattle were salvaged from the Sussex, which was wrecked on Seal Rock, were landed on Gweal in 1885.
(grid reference SV859156) 1.98 hectares (4.9 acres)
Scilly Rock (Cornish: Karrek Syllan) is just over 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) west of Bryher is a large rock, divided by a deep chasm into two parts with a maximum height of 22 metres (72 ft). Each part has a summit named North Cuckoo and South Cuckoo. Landing is difficult and only possible in calm conditions. It is reputedly the island from which the rest of the archipelago gets its name because it was the first part to become separate from the original main island. fr. Puffin (Fratercula arctica) breed and the only plants recorded are rock sea-spurrey and oraches (Atriplex) species.
(Cornish: Men Karleyth, lit. 'rayfish stone') (grid reference SV853129) 1.82 hectares (4.5 acres)
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