Editing Skellig Michael (section)

==Ecology==
[[File:Skellig Michael.png|thumb|Gull with Little Skellig in background]]
Skellig Michael is lined by exposed sea cliffs and three bays. Its inland is mostly of thin soil on steep ground, with patches of vegetation which are, however, exposed to sea spray.{{sfn|Site Management Plan}} Nonetheless, it has an ecology far more diverse than on the mainland; as an island, it provides sanctuary to wide varieties of flora and fauna, many of which are unusual to Ireland.{{sfn|Lavelle|1976|p=58}} It contains a large range of [[seabird]]s, now protected by the island's status as a nature reserve owned by the state.{{sfn|Great Skellig Nature Reserve}} The Skellig Islands were classified as a Special Protection Area in 1986 when they were recognised for containing an unusually large variety and population of birds.{{sfn|Kelleher|Bleakley|Wells|1995}}

[[File:Puffins at Skellig Michael 10.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Puffins on Skellig Michael]]
The island hosts [[Bird nest|eyrie]]s for [[peregrine falcon]]s. Other birds of interest include [[Northern fulmar|fulmar]]s, [[Manx shearwater]]s (''Puffinus puffinus''), [[European storm petrel|storm petrel]]s, [[Northern gannet|gannet]]s, [[Black-legged kittiwake|kittiwake]]s, [[Common murre|guillemot]]s and [[Atlantic puffin]]s.{{sfn| Conservation Objectives|2018}} A herd of goats lived on the island until recently, and it supports a population of rabbits and [[House mouse|house mice]], both relatively recent introductions, probably introduced in the 19th century by lighthouse attendants. [[Grey seal]]s haul out on the island's ledges.{{sfn|Bourke|Hayden|Lynch|O'Sullivan|2011|p=16}}
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