Faulkner’s Island Lighthouse

A great light
but not
so great
flies and birds
Faulkner’s Island is one of the very coolest places in Long island Sound and the lighthouse is one of the most interesting. It’s about 4 miles or so off the coast of Guilford, stands 40 feet tall and was completed in 1802. President Thomas Jefferson came out to the island to dedicated the light.
The island is now only about 2.5 acres but at one time was almost 10 acres. Constant storms hammered the island until most of it was lost to the sea. Efforts have been tried to preserve what’s left of the island with mixed results. It seems only a matter of time before the entire island is lost. About one mile to the South West, Goose Island was once several acres but now is virtually submerged at high tide.
The island is extremely important because it is a nesting ground for several types of birds. In fact the scientists that are doing research on the island wear hard hats because the birds are so aggressive during nesting season and anyone coming even close to the island is open to attack.
The island is strictly off limits during the breeding season, but during the months when the birds are gone small boats can land, although it is certainly not encouraged. One day a year, during September, the island does have a open house and people are allowed to explore the island. The flies are usually very nasty and but it is such a great place people hardly notice.
Faulkner’s has a long and fascinating history and on clear days the light can be seen from the coast of Connecticut. The area is frequently foggy and many ships have been lost to the treacherous reefs surrounding the light and island. If you look at my pictures you can see how thick the fog can get. Gps, a good compass bearing or just blind luck is sometimes needed to find the island at all.
The people doing the work trying to save the light and island are to be commended but in the end the sea always wins. The Faulkner’s Light Brigade can be reached at PO Box 199, Guilford, Ct 6 437.