Mousa Shetland, Scotland
Lying less than 1km off the east coast of Mainland, Shetland, the small and low-lying island of Mousa consists of rough grassland and heath with small areas of marsh. In addition there are some small lochs and tidal pools. Mousa is famous as the site of a well-preserved Iron Age Pictish broch as well as its seabird colonies. It is one of the smaller and most attractive of the Shetland Islands and relatively accessible.
There is a large European Storm-petrel colony on Mousa numbering more than 6000 pairs many of which breed in and around the ancient stone walls. Other breeding seabirds include Northern Fulmar, Great Skue and Arctic Skua, Shag, Black Guillemot and nationally important numbers of Arctic Tern. The island also has breeding Common Eider and a few waders. The pools may attract a few passage waders and in winter Long-tailed Duck can be seen in good numbers. King Eider has been seen here with some regularity.
Common Seal Phoca vitulina breeds on the island in substantial numbers and Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus can also be seen. Regular cetaceans include Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Killer Whale Orcinus orca and Common Porpoise Phocoena phocoena. Otter Lutra lutra can also be seen.
Mousa can only be reached by boat from Leebitton on the south-east coast of Mainland, Shetland. Local boatmen arrange trips to the island including overnight stays, essential to see the storm-petrels.
Birds
Birds you can see here include:
Northern Fulmar, European Storm-petrel, Shag, Common Eider, King Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Arctic Tern, Black Guillemot
Content and images originally posted by Steve
