The Skerries, Northern Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Skerries are a small group of rocks just off Portrush
on the north coast of Northern Ireland
.
The temperature of the Skerries during the summer months is warmer than other parts of Northern Ireland, and so the rocks are home to particularly interesting fauna; it is the only place many southern species such as the cotton spinner sea cucumber Holothuria forskali are found in Northern Ireland. There are several protected habitats located around the Skerries, notably for seagrass
(Zostera marina) and horse mussel
(Modiolus modiolus). In addition, recent surveys have found numbers of the Spiny spider crab (Maja brachydactyla), which is new to Northern Ireland.
Portrush
Portrush is a small seaside resort town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on the County Londonderry border. The main part of the old town, including the railway station as well as most hotels, restaurants and bars, is built on a mile–long peninsula, Ramore Head, pointing north-northwest....
on the north coast of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
The temperature of the Skerries during the summer months is warmer than other parts of Northern Ireland, and so the rocks are home to particularly interesting fauna; it is the only place many southern species such as the cotton spinner sea cucumber Holothuria forskali are found in Northern Ireland. There are several protected habitats located around the Skerries, notably for seagrass
Seagrass
Seagrasses are flowering plants from one of four plant families , all in the order Alismatales , which grow in marine, fully saline environments.-Ecology:...
(Zostera marina) and horse mussel
Horse mussel
Not to be confused with Modiolus modiolus also known as thehorse mussel.The horse mussel, Atrina squamifera, is a species of bivalve pen shell. It is a marine mollusc in the family Pinnidae...
(Modiolus modiolus). In addition, recent surveys have found numbers of the Spiny spider crab (Maja brachydactyla), which is new to Northern Ireland.