Manx Shearwaters Return to Rathlin Island After Decades: A Conservation Milestone

For the first time in decades, Manx Shearwaters are successfully breeding on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland—marking a major victory for seabird conservation and island restoration.

This breakthrough is the result of years of dedicated work by RSPB (Royal Society for Protection of Birds) - Northern Ireland and partners through the £4.5 million LIFE Raft (Rathlin Acting for Tomorrow) project to remove invasive predators such as rats and ferrets, which had long prevented seabirds from nesting successfully. With these threats removed, Rathlin’s native wildlife is beginning to recover—and the return of the Manx Shearwater is a powerful sign of progress.

Motion-sensitive cameras recently captured the first images of a Manx shearwater chick on the island, confirming successful breeding and sparking celebration among conservationists and the local community.

Liam McFaul, Rathlin Island Site Manager, shared:

“This is a huge milestone for the project and for Rathlin Island. It’s the first time in decades that Manx Shearwaters have successfully bred here. It’s a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in restoring the island’s natural balance.”

This success highlights the importance of island restoration in reversing biodiversity loss and protecting vulnerable species. Rathlin Island is a part of the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge and demonstrates the ability to restore biodiversity by removing invasive predators.

🔗 Learn more about the Rathlin Island Seabird Recovery Project here: https://rathlin360.com/life-raft/life-raft-objectives/