Staple Island
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Staple Island
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 Staple Island
 Staple Island shown within Northumberland |
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Staple Island is a small rocky island, or skerry, that is one of the Outer Group of the Farne Islands in Northumberland, England. The Farne Islands are a designated National Nature Reserve.[1] Staple Island is an important wildlife habitat known for its prolific breeding colonies of Atlantic puffins, razorbills and kittiwakes. A notable colony of grey seals breeds on the island with pups born every year in September–November.[2]
The island has no permanent population but local boats are licensed to land passengers. The National Trust owns and manages the island and has bird wardens on site during part of the year.[3]
Although now uninhabited, the island has a history associated with the early monastic settlement of nearby Lindisfarne. Views to the south range as far as Dunstanburgh Castle and along the north mainland shore to Bamburgh Castle.
A lighthouse was built on Staple Island in 1778 and blown down in 1784; a replacement, built either in the same place or on nearby Brownsman's island, was knocked down by heavy seas in 1800.[4]
