Travelling the Coquet Road

Northumberland-based artist Paul Henery talks about his new exhibition inspired by Coquet Island and its unique roseate tern colony.  
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Our approach in a fast rib along the ‘Coquet Road’ is over too soon. Scattering flocks of puffins sitting on a Prussian blue sea under a huge cobalt sky we clamber up the concrete jetty and onto Coquet Island.

Paul Henery 'artist in residence ' in a hide on Coquet Island

At first I feel like an intruder on this RSPB reserve and I am watchful of every step I take between the nests and eggs of common terns, which are all over the footpath to the lighthouse. The birds let me know I am not welcome by striking my head and covering me in guano until I find a spot and stay put quietly. I slowly become accepted and am able to soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent seabird colony which is an artist’s paradise.

Despite many fulmar, kittiwake, puffins and four species of terns I am here for one bird only, the roseate tern. This special bird with its long elegant tail streamers, pale grey plumage, elaborate courtship display, sharp black bill and a breast blushed with pink satin has captivated me.

Roseate tern preening by Wesley Davies

I am on the island as the artist in residence, to make work from life for an exhibition at ‘Niche Gallery’ @ The old Bath House from 14 July to 8 September. My time is limited so I work fast to capture an array of shapes and forms and ever-changing light on paper in fluid watercolors.

I first became involved with the roseate terns on Coquet Island back in 1994 when I was full time Wildlife Crime Officer for Northumbria Police and the 25 pairs that nested there then were under threat from egg collectors. Happily, with the intense conservation work of the RSPB, the support of the EU-funded LIFE project and ongoing police protection the numbers have risen to over 100 pairs.

Later, I began to volunteer on Coquet Island and became directly involved in the survey and conservation work that goes on to help protect Europe’s most endangered seabird.

​With each magical return visit I became more and more fascinated with the “rosy” terns and an idea took shape to produce a body of work about Coquet Island together with my artist daughter.  
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We want to present the public with our impressions of this unique island; its sights, smells and wonderful bird life which, can’t be visited but which people should be able to appreciate.
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The resulting exhibition, with its watercolors, oils, acrylics and drawings is our way of sharing Coquet Island and the roseate terns.