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All about Coquet Island

Lying just one mile off the coast at Amble, Coquet Island is an RSPB nature reserve. It is a safe haven for over 30,000 pairs of seabirds, some who travel from Africa to nest there. The island is protected under European Law for birds such as the roseate tern, one of our rarest nesting seabirds. Coquet Island now holds 90% of the UK's roseate tern population.

History of the Island

Coquet Island has been a place of sanctuary since St Cuthbert, an early Northumbrian saint, landed there in AD684. The Duke of Northumberland owns the island, including its unusual square-towered lighthouse, which was built in 1841. The island has been occupied since the 7th Century, initially as a monastic cell, then later a lighthouse station and now it's occupied by RSPB wardens, who live on the island throughout the spring and summer. Birds are everywhere on Coquet Island and the walls and gardens are home to several hundred nesting eider ducks.

For this reason, the island is designated as a sanctuary and the public are not allowed to land. However, it is still possible to view roseate and other terns and seabirds at the Northumberland Seabird Centre on Amble Quayside which has a CCTV system with a live feed. The centre is open daily from 10am to 4:30pm Sunday to Friday and 10am to 5pm Sunday. The charter boat company can be found on the quayside.

You can also take a boat trip around the island on a charter boat licensed by the RSPB to enjoy close up views of the birds.

Most photos courtesy of RSPB.

roseate terns coquet island rspb nature reserve roseate tern nesting coquet island nature reserve rspb Roseate terns, the UK’s rarest breeding seabirds and a globally declining species, have found a safe haven on Coquet Island. Fewer than 80 pairs nest there, yet they represent more than 90% of the UK population. They summer on Coquet Island before starting their marathon migration for the warmer winter weather of Africa, giving a unique opportunity to see one of Europe’s rarest birds.

arctic tern coquet island rspb nature reserve common tern coquet island rare birds sanctuary rspb Arctic, common and Sandwich terns also nest on Coquet Island, mostly in cleared areas among the nettles surrounding the lighthouse. In August and September, they too make the long journey to Africa, before returning the following spring.

fulmars coquet island wildlife sea reserve kittiwakes on coquet island sandwich terns fulmars puffins Fulmars add to the diversity of wildlife on the island. They are less attached to the mainland than most other seabird species and forage far out to sea. Kittiwakes congregate in the spring. Their sites are crowded with birds and the nests are usually placed on ledges or in crevices. So narrow are these that nests appear to be in danger of blowing away.

puffins terns eider ducks fulmars seabirds st cuthbert coquet eider duck coquet island nesting kittiwakes Puffins arrive March/April, thousands of pairs nest underground in old rabbit burrows each rearing a single puffling. In August, some leave for the North and others head South to the Bay of Biscay. Since the time of St Cuthbert, eiders, the heaviest & yet fastest-flying ducks in the UK, have sought refuge here. They pluck their downy breast feathers to line their nests, where they lay up to eight eggs.