Isle of Muck History Website

Flora and Fauna

Flora

Muck has an abundant flora; the booklet by Dobson & Dobson (see books) lists about 570 species. This includes, flowers, ferns, grasses, sedges and trees. Some of the less common flowers found on Muck include Pyramidal Bugle, Thyme Broomrape, Frog Orchid, Small White Orchid

Birds

Being an island, Muck has a large number of seabirds, many of whom nest on the island or on the rocks and small islands off it. Puffins still nest although they can no longer be found in as many places as they used to. There are also Manx Shearwaters, Guillemots, Razor Bills, Cormorants, Shags, Fulmars, Gannets, Terns and numerous Gulls

Mammals

There are no foxes, badgers, moles, rabbits, hares, mink or hedgehogs. Otters can frequently be seen around the edges of the island.

Marine Life

There are numerous Atlantic Seals usually seen sunbathing on the rocks. In the sea around Muck there are also Minke Whales, Common and Bottlenose Dolphins and Porpoises. There are occasional sightings of Killer Whales (Orca). Basking Sharks can be seen sometimes.

Others

Here are a few other things which have been seen on Muck:

Garden Tiger moth

Six-spot Burnet Moth

Painted Lady

Red Admiral