| Burhou Island |
Burhou is a tiny island approximately 1.4 miles (2.25 km) northwest of Alderney that is part of the Channel Islands. It has no permanent residents, and is a bird sanctuary, landing there is banned from March 15 to July 27. The island's wildlife includes a colony of puffins (declining in numbers) and large numbers of rabbits.The island has no landing stage as such, however visitors use a small inlet. In rough weather it may be impossible to land entirely.
Despite being isolated, and inhabited briefly, and infrequently, Burhou has a long history.
Formerly, like the rest of the English Channel it would have been linked to both modern-day England and France by dry-land, many thousands of years ago.
Burhou, like many other Channel Islands (e.g. Lihou, Jethou), has the Norman suffix -hou, meaning a small island, from the Old Norse holmr.
According to Dr. S.K. Kellet-Smith, "bur" refers to a storehouse - "Burhou is just the place where a fisherman would place a depository for his gear". |
|
However, signs of human occupation/visitation are much older.
Flint flakes have been found on the island, and one is currently in the Alderney Museum. In 1847, F.C. Lukis found two standing stones, but these have since been lost, according to the archaeologist David Johnston. |
| |
| The Hut |
According to the Assize Roll of the 14th century, Burhou was a rabbit warren, and a refuge for fishermen.
A hut was built on the island in 1820 as a shelter for fishermen and sailors at the instigation of General Le Mesurier (The Governor), but was destroyed during the German occupation of the Channel Islands (the occupying Germans used it for target practice during WWII).
The hut was replaced in 1953, with basic accommodation which is rented out to visitors by Alderney Harbour Office.
Attempts have been periodically made to raise sheep there. In 1900, a French couple lived there for a year.
The soil is thin, and spray frequently goes right over the island, ensuring high soil salinity.
The island has no fresh water supply for much of the year, and has to rely on shipments, or formerly tanks.Burhou hut out of the breeding season can be used for overnighting, life is basic but there is a nice fireplace, gas cooking and beds for about eight people.
The charge for the key is ten pounds a night and is payable to the Alderney harbour office. Tel.01481 822620. |
|
| |
| Flora and Fauna |
The island's animals are mainly of the avian variety, although rabbits are long established here. The island has many puffins and some storm petrels. Although the latter have declined, they used to nest in the cottage's storm loft. Roderick Dobson in Birds of the Channel Islands said that puffins had been plentiful for over a century. The Birds of Guernsey (1878) by Cecil Smith states likewise. The puffins have had to compete with gulls, and in 1949, hundreds died from red mite infestation. The rabbit holes on the island make good nesting for them.
Amongst the plants noted here are sea spurry, forget-me-nots, scarlet pimpernel, field bugloss, bracken and nettles. |
|
|