THE PRIORY

Many folk go to Holy Island for religious reasons, and my visits have certainly felt like a pilgrimage as the island holds a glowing reputation for its birds and flora. It was the site of the first ever bird protection decree, made by St Cuthbert himself for the Eider (sometimes called the St Cuthbert’s or Cuddy Duck locally). Of course, there is the priory and a castle, not to mention its location on the east coast that draws in migrants from across the North Sea. I have visited in all four seasons and you definitely need to check the tide tables to get on and off the island. Whatever the season, the island always sees crowds of folk, but by using the walk along the shore, you’ll avoid the masses. This shallow area is ideal for pale-bellied Brent Geese and feeding waders, with often big flocks of Knot, Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwits and the individual territories of Grey Plover. St Cuthbert’s Island has a roost, but look further out for basking Grey Seals, often heard before seen. One area that stands out for finding rarities is ‘the Vicar’s Garden’, with a list of warblers, including Pallas’s, Arctic, Hume’s, Radde’s, Barred, plus regular Yellowbrowed Warblers in the autumn. There have also been Red-breasted Flycatchers, Red-backed Shrike, Red-flanked Bluetail, Firecrest and Red-eyed Vireo by the Lindisfarne Hotel. An eastern Black Redstart was found below the garden, while a stroll onto the Heugh can see you finding Slavonian and Red-necked Grebes, with all four divers also found here. Terns love this water and listen out for Roseate Tern with its distinctive call. The harbour can be good for Wheatears in summer and white-winged gulls in winter.