A flock of great Skuas or Bonxies take off on the Isle of Noss, Shetland I9slands. Scotland. SCO 7760.
Noss is separated from the island of Bressay by the narrow Noss Sound. It has been run as a sheep farm since 1900. Noss had a population of 20 in 1851 but has had no permanent inhabitants since 1939. The main focus of settlement on Noss was around the low lying west side of the island at Gungstie (Old Norse: a landing place). Gungstie was built in the 1670s and is currently used by the seasonal wildlife wardens. Another settlement at Setter, on the south east of the island was inhabited until the 1870s and now lies derelict. Lying to the east of Lerwick the island of Bressay, 11x8 km (7x3 miles), creates a superb sheltered harbour for shipping - the reason for Lerwick's establishment as a major trading port. From Viking times Bressay Sound has provided a safe anchorage and in the mid 17th century up to 1,500 Dutch herring fishing vessels gathered here. Noss, a small island off the east coast of Bressay, is a National Nature Reserve with over 100,000 pairs of breeding seabirds. The island is also part of a sheep farm and demonstrates a good example of conservation and agricultural practices working together. Noss is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage and staffed by seasonal wardens who provide a weather-permitting summer boat service. Noss has been a National Nature Reserve since 1955. The island is linked to Bressay by a seasonal ferry service, run by the wildlife wardens using a rigid-hulled inflatable boat. Attractions on Noss include a visitor centre, the Pony Pund built to breed Shetland Ponies, the Holm of Noss rock and the Noup cliff. The sandstone cliffs of Noss have weathered into a series of horizontal ledges making ideal breeding grounds for gannets, puffins, guillemots, shags, Black-legged Kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars and great skuas. Otters are frequently seen around the island.
Size: 5458px × 4164px
Location: Noss, Shetland, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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