Rockabill facts for kids
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Native name:
Carraig Dábhiolla
Nickname: The Cow and The Calf
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 Rockabil
Location in Ireland
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| Geography | |
| Location | Irish Sea |
| Coordinates | 53.°35.49′N 6.°0.16′W / 53.59150°N 6.00267°W |
| Archipelago | Rockabill |
| Total islands | 2 (The Rock and The Bill) |
| Major islands | The Rock |
| Administration | |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | Dublin |
| Barony | Skerries |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2, May through August (2014) |
Rockabill is a special place made of two small islands. They are called "The Rock" and "The Bill." These islands are located in the western Irish Sea. They are about 6 kilometers east of Skerries in County Dublin, Ireland. The name "Rockabill" comes from an old Irish name, Carraig Dábhiolla, which means "Two-bill Rock."
Contents
Discovering Rockabill's Islands
The two islands of Rockabill are made of a type of rock called granite. They are separated by a narrow channel, which is like a small gap about 20 meters wide.
The Rock Island
"The Rock" is the larger of the two islands. It has a tall lighthouse that was built a long time ago, between 1855 and 1860. This lighthouse helps ships find their way. It was made from strong granite and limestone. Since 1989, the lighthouse has worked automatically, meaning no one needs to live there to operate it.
The Rock also has some walls and other small buildings. These walls have helped soil build up over time. This soil allows plants to grow, especially a type of plant called tree mallow. These plants are very important because they provide good places for birds to build their nests and hide.
The Bill Island
"The Bill" is the smaller island. It does not have much soil or many plants. It is mostly just bare rock.
Amazing Birds of Rockabill
Rockabill is a super important home for many seabirds. It is especially famous for its terns. These birds come to the islands to lay their eggs and raise their young.
Europe's Largest Roseate Tern Colony
Rockabill is known around the world for its roseate terns. It has the biggest group of these birds in all of Europe! In 2017, there were almost 1,600 pairs of roseate terns nesting here.
Other Seabirds
Many other types of terns also live on Rockabill. For example, over 2,000 pairs of Common Terns were counted in 2017. Other seabirds you might see include black guillemots and black-legged kittiwakes. These islands are a busy and noisy place during breeding season!
Protecting Rockabill's Wildlife
Rockabill is a very special place, and people work hard to protect it and its birds.
Lighthouse and Protection
The Rockabill Lighthouse is owned by the Commissioners of Irish Lights. This group manages lighthouses around Ireland. Rockabill is also a Refuge for Fauna, which means it's a safe place for animals. It is also a Special Protection Area under the European Union Birds Directive. This is a rule that helps protect wild birds and their homes across Europe.
BirdWatch Ireland's Role
Since 1989, the islands have been looked after by BirdWatch Ireland. This group works to protect wild birds and their habitats in Ireland. They make sure the birds on Rockabill are safe and have good places to nest. Before 1989, lighthouse keepers helped protect the birds, but now BirdWatch Ireland does this important job.
Special Area of Conservation
There is also a plan to make the sea area between Rockabill and Dalkey Island a Special Area of Conservation. This would give even more protection to the marine life and habitats in that area.
