News & events

New Skomer book released

20 August 2007

New book focuses on Welsh island gem. Skomer Island is situated off the coast of west Wales. It’s a National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area under European Law and a world-renowned bird paradise.

Skomer – Portrait of a Welsh island (published by Graffeg, £14.99) is a stunning new book compiled by Skomer resident, Jane Matthews. It gives a close profile of the island with scenes that day visitors never see; its night time populations, off limits landscape and the research that goes on throughout the year.

Jane lives on the island with partner Juan Brown, the island’s warden, their daughter Martha and just a few other staff and researchers. A former London-based artist for the television and film industry, Jane now studies the Grey Seal population there. ‘I just love island life’ Jane said. ‘This book is a photographic profile of life on Skomer and is packed with interesting facts for the nature enthusiast’.

Skomer – Portrait of a Welsh island features;

• Contributions from poet Jeremy Grange and The Times reporter Matthew Parris
• Foreword by Welsh naturalist and television presenter Iolo Williams
• Map of the island
• Seasonal timeline for island birds, seals and flowers

Naturalist and presenter of Springwatch, Bill Oddie, has visited Skomer many times. He said ‘Skomer may just be the quintessential wild island. Fabulous scenery, teeming with seabirds, and its very own vole! It’s not ‘cosy’. The crossing is often rough, and its not difficult to get marooned there and to have to experience the spooky magic of the night sounds of the shearwaters. Islands shouldn’t be ‘easy’. They should be special. Skomer is.’

Mike Dilger, also a naturalist and presenter, gives a summary of the book. ‘Of course nothing can beat the experience of being on Skomer and indulging in its many delights, but this read comes a close second. Choc-full of sumptuous photos and concise text, this book is compact, bijou and gorgeous.

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Skomer – Portrait of a Welsh island is available from all good bookshops price £14.99 or online at www.graffeg.com/skomer. Published by Graffeg. For more information contact 029 2037 7312 or email info@graffeg.com.