FLORA

Blanket peat covers much of the island, providing a globally rare but important wildlife habitat.

This peat is formed from the compression of dead (but not decomposed) plant remains and forms at the rate of about 1 mm a year. In places this peat is over 3 metres in depth (3,000 years). Look carefully for 2 special plants, butterwort and sundew which can be found on the moorland. Both these plants supplement their diet with insects, by trapping them on their leaves.

BIRDS

In summer, Yell's moorlands are alive with breeding birds Whimbrel, redthroated divers, dunlin and golden plover can all be seen from the roadside. The sharp eyed observer may catch a glimpse of Britain's smallest bird of prey the merlin, as it dashes after small birds. Great skuas or bonxies as they are locally known, Arctic skuas, and eider duck, also nest on the moorland.

Arctic terns (tirricks) the harbinger of summer, can also be seen but please try to avoid walking near their breeding colonies as they will defend new eggs and young most vigorously. Remember these Arctic terns fly from the Antarctic to spend their summers in Yell with you!