Manx Shearwater Breeding Confirmed on Rathlin Island
After decades of absence, the nocturnal calls of shearwaters once more echo from burrows on Northern Ireland’s seabird island.
A long-awaited discovery
For the first time in decades, breeding Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus have been confirmed on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland. Several pairs successfully reared chicks this summer, with footage captured in September showing young birds preparing to fledge from burrows.
The confirmation fulfils years of speculation based on night-time calls and survey evidence, providing definitive proof that these enigmatic seabirds have re-established themselves as breeders on the island.
Conservation in action
The discovery comes after years of targeted work under the LIFE Raft (Rathlin Acting for Tomorrow) project, which began in 2021 to restore seabird habitats by removing invasive predators such as rats and ferrets. Burrow-nesting species like shearwaters are particularly vulnerable to predation, and their presence signals a positive ecological response to ongoing conservation action.
Rathlin already holds Northern Ireland’s largest seabird colony, with tens of thousands of Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins. The return of Manx Shearwaters strengthens the island’s status as an internationally important breeding site.
Excitement on the island
Ric Else, Senior Research Assistant with the LIFE Raft project, described the find as “exactly what I have been hoping to see for years – not just confirmation that the birds were present, but evidence that they are managing to breed successfully here.”
RSPB NI Warden Liam McFaul added: “Seeing the footage of the Manx Shearwater going into the burrows again on Rathlin is incredible. With our ongoing work, we hope the island will continue to be a seabird stronghold for future generations.”
Future challenges
While the rediscovery is a conservation milestone, challenges remain. Ongoing efforts to control invasive predators are essential if burrow-nesting seabirds are to thrive. Climate change, shifting fish stocks and disturbance pressures also threaten long-term stability.
Conservationists stress the need for continued monitoring, habitat management and community involvement to ensure that Rathlin’s seabird populations grow rather than falter.
A hopeful return
The return of Manx Shearwaters to Rathlin Island is a beacon of hope in a time of widespread seabird decline. It shows that with sustained action, species once lost from a place can come back – and that the work of protecting them is far from finished.
Oct 2025
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