The Isles of Scilly AONB: An exceptional historic landscape

Pushing the Boundaries Project: Unlocking the Potential of Scilly's Traditional Stone Walls

Traditional field boundaries are a characteristic feature of Scilly's farmed landscape. Stone walls, sometimes augmented by vegetative hedges, are also an important heritage asset in Scilly.

This AONB Partnership project, which gained funding from the Isles of Scilly Local Action Group (LAG), aims to unlock the economic, cultural and educational potential of Scilly's traditional stone walls and to understand how they can be maintained, and where appropriate, restored.

Phase 1 of this project is almost complete. Surveys have been undertaken on the inhabited Islands to assess the historic and ecological value of a sample of stone field boundaries. This has already provided a raft of information on their historical significance and their importance for biodiversity.

Dolphin and Porpoise Detection in Scilly

The College of Life and Environmental Science of the University of Exeter, based at the Tremough Campus in Penryn, Cornwall, has recently won a grant from the European Merific Programme (Marine Energy in Far Peripheral Island Communties) to fund surveys of dolphin and porpoise movements around the Cornish coast.

The project, which is managed by Dr Matthew Witt, includes the deployment of three C-PODs in the waters around Scilly. C-PODs are small audio detectors that pick up the sounds made by dolphins and porpoises and will, in time, build up an understanding of cetacean distribution and abundance. These data will inform future management of the marine environment.

All three CPODs are within the Isles of Scilly Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and one of them is within one of the candidate Marine Conservation Zones (cMCZs) – Hanjague to Deep Ledge in the Eastern Isles. The data will be collected by the Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) and form part of the Annual Report on sustainable management of the marine environment.

For more information please contact Steve Watt, IFCA and Maritime Officer on maritime@scilly.gov.uk

Scilly's Amazing Dark Night Skies

The Isles of Scilly are famous for many things, but more often than not the impressive show of stars go unreported.

Scilly's Dark Night Skies are a significant feature of the AONB  and the Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership is keen to protect this important asset.

Since the introduction of mains electricty to Scilly in 1931 there has been gradual encroachment on the dark night sky, with measureable deterioration between 1993 and 2000. So, it is imperative that steps are taken to enhance public appreciation of Scilly's dark night skies, to reverse the trend of deterioration and to develop a potential tourism asset (so-called astro-tourism).

When is the best time to spot stars?

Winter is a fantastic time of year to see Scilly's display of stars as the cool, crisp and unpolluted air gives rise to clear skies. Hopefully cloud cover will be minimal and always make sure that the moon is not too bright. The best time to view the stars is early in the morning, if you can stay awake!

If you manage to see anything amazing, please get in touch, we would be pleased to hear what you discover!

Photo: by Tom Scott.

Falmouth Science Students in Scilly

Marine science students from the Falmouth Marine School recently spent a day in Scilly surveying the sea bed as part of a research project.  

The students were joined later in the day by the AONB Unit's Environmental Awareness Coordinator to undertake a beach clean, where the information gathered provided students with data for a comparative study on the amount and types of  marine litter found in Scilly and Cornwall.

The students were also joined by Jaclyn Pearson from the RSPB, who introuduced them to Scilly's amazing bird life with a bird-spotting walk.

What's on in the AONB?

AONB and RSPB Wildlife Explorers Club!

Where: The Garrison, St Mary's

When: Saturday 26th November 2-4p.m

Come and join Jaclyn and Rebecca for an adventure Treasure Hunt around the Garrison! Working in teams you will attempt to answer the clues laid out for you around the Garrison. If successful in your mission, you will find a bountiful supply of treasure, which you won't want to miss out on!

You will learn about the incredible history and the wildlife associated with the Garrison, and its importance in Scilly-whilst having fun!

Please contact the Council of the Isles of Scilly Children's Services Team on 01720 423680 to book your place!

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Green Team and AONB Partnership Beach Cleans!

Join the AONB Unit and the Five Islands School Green Team, every Sunday from 3pm onwards.

Please contact the AONB Unit on 01720 424315 if you would like to help make a difference to Scilly's beaches.