Many rare and endangered species which have been identified at the UK national level occur on the Island. The Island has 29 of those which are regarded as national priorities; they include the dormouse, song thrush, red squirrel, water vole, early gentian, skylark and starlet sea anemone.

Wasp spiderA further 205 species are also seen as important on the national scale - butterflies such as the Adonis blue and Pearl-bordered fritillary; marine life such as the native oyster and dogwhelk; freshwater fish such bullhead and brook lamprey; wild flowers such as the cornflower and field cow-wheat; birds such as the barn owl and nightjar; and the many species of bats. In addition, another 457 species, which are locally distinctive, have been identified by local experts and enthusiasts. They include a diverse range of species such as mantis shrimps, wasp spiders, wall lizards and pink wax-cap fungi. An estimated 72 species are considered to have become extinct locally within the last fifty years and very many more are in decline. These losses are largely due to habitat change or loss.

These pages highlight species and groups which are of particular interest, but don't forget that there are many others not mentioned here which are just as interesting!

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