You'll find lots of wild flowers and animals of a wide variety of species during your visit to the Island. A large area of our countryside is designated as Nature Reserves by the Manx Wildlife Trust, aimed at protecting the species which reside in them. Some of these reserves, alive with the song of birds, are accessible by the public.

To find out when in the year you can expect to see different species out and about, please refer to our Wildlife Calendar.

Manx Bird Atlas
A charity was set up in 1997 to monitor and scientifically research birds on the Island. In 1998, they began their five-year research programme to survey the Island using new and innovative techniques. Research is conducted through both winter and summer months, to provide the Island with its first comprehensive study of birdlife on the Island. The presence of birds is generally accepted as a sign that the environment in which they are living in is healthy, so when fluctuations occur analysis can be conducted to establish what is changing within the environment. For more information about the Manx Bird Atlas, click here.

Manx Wildlife Trust
Manx Wildlife Trust is a voluntary wildlife conservation organisation for the Isle of Man. They represent Manx wildlife interests locally, in the British Isles and throughout the world. The Trust own and maintain twenty nature reserves around the Island, ranging from small sites in Port Erin and Onchan to their largest site on Dalby Mountain, at 72 acres. For more information about the Manx Wildlife Trust, click here.

Ayres Nature Reserve
The northernmost part of the Island is largely made from sand, caused by deposition of sand eroded from the sandstone cliffs on the western coast. This creates a habitat which isn't found anywhere else on the Island.

Basking Sharks
The waters around the Island are popular for a certain species of shark, although they are Plankton-eaters so they don't pose any threat to humans. They thrive on the ecological diversity which is present beneath Manx waters.

Calf of Man
Off the southern tip of the Island is the Calf of Man. This small islet is a perfect habitat for many creatures and as such is protected as a nature reserve. Only a few people live on the Island, although boat trips are organised for the summer months to allow you to explore the island for yourself.

Curraghs Wildlife Park
Curraghs is the Island's only wildlife park. This spacious park has a number of different animals, from butterlies to zebras.