L’île de Cape Clear, le Ouessant irlandais

Cape Clear Island is the most southerly tip of Ireland (with the exception of the Fastnet Rock which lies seven kilometres offshore). The island is approximately 5.5 kilometres long at its longest point and approximately 1.5 kilometres at its widest. The highest point of the island stands at over 175 meters. It boasts two fine natural harbours. There are several hundred hectares of rough pasture on the island and many of the inhabitants (approximately 120 in number) are engaged in farming and fishing. Small areas of the island are tilled with the island’s principal crops being potatoes, oats and turnips. In the corner of most fields and on rougher ground, brambles and bracken are the dominant vegetation.
The island also has an important bird observatory (Cape Clear Bird Observatory – CCBO) situated at the North Harbour, which was established in 1959. Flocks of sea birds fly past the island over the year, particularly during the summer months, including Manx shear-water, gannet and kittwake. Large seabirds colonies are installed.
In Spring and in Autumn, rare vagrants from North America and Asia are regularly seen, and important sea-passage can be spotted.