From Opus

Photo by Delia Todd
Amble Estuary at Warkworth

[edit] Overview

A low, flat-topped island just off the coast of Northumberland. Coquet Island is an RSPB reserve.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Coquet is best known for its terns with Common Tern, Arctic Tern and Sandwich Tern breeding and also small numbers of the rare Roseate Tern. This is the British stronghold for this declining species and an upsurge in numbers in 2002 resulted in 57 pairs raising 74 young. The peak period for seeing the Roseate Terns is mid-May to early-September. In addition to terns there are breeding Common Eider and Atlantic Puffin.

The River Coquet meets the sea at the small town of Amble and the harbour and estuary here are always worth checking for gulls, waders and seaduck in winter and during passage periods. Most of the commoner northern waders can be seen here including Jack Snipe as well as Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Common Eider and Common Shelduck.

[edit] Rarities

A careful search through the harbour's gulls may reveal a Glaucous Gull, sometimes even an Iceland Gull or Yellow-legged Gull.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Northern Fulmar, Great Cormorant, European Shag, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Common Shelduck, Mallard, Common Eider, Common Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Merlin, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Northern Lapwing, Red Knot, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Jack Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Roseate Tern, Atlantic Puffin, Meadow Pipit, Common Wren

[edit] Other Wildlife

Grey Seals are commonly seen around the island.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] Areas of Interest

The mudflats and river can be viewed from the picnic area at Amble Braid.

[edit] Access and Facilities

Coquet Island lies 1.5km offshore from the town of Amble. Boat trips around the island can be arranged in Amble in late spring and summer but landing is prohibited.

A range of accommodation is available in the area.

Grid reference: NU293045

[edit] Contact Details

RSPB Tel: 0191 233 4300

[edit] External Links

• Northumberland Coast Visitors Guide
• RSPB Coquet Island
• Amble & Coquet Island on Streetmap

Content and images originally posted by Steve