Description
The Monach Isles have been uninhabited since 1948. The largest islands are 2 km in length and total area at high tide 348 hectares. At low tide the 3 main islands are interconnected. In autumn up to 10,000 grey seals come ashore to pup and mate. Basking sharks and cetaceans occasionally pass by. The main vegetation is machair, a mix of grasses and 200 wildflower species growing on fertile calcareous shell sand.
In the absence of cliffs, Fulmar breed on the sand dunes. Other breeders here are Fugaci de țărm, Fluierar cu picioare roșii, Nagâț, Scoicar, Ciocârlie, Fâsă de luncă, Fâsă de stâncă, Becațină comună, Chiră polară and Prundăraș gulerat mare. There are no trees, so the herons breed in abandoned buildings. Pietruș, Nisipar, Șoim călător and Strigă are occasional visitors, and a large flock of Gâscă călugăriță spends the winter here.
Details
Access
Boat trips run from Grimsey in North Uist, or direct from Oban.

