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/
About the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge Founders
Re:wild
Re:wild protects and restores the wild. We have a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human health crises. Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild is a force multiplier that brings together Indigenous peoples, local communities, influential leaders, nongovernmental organizations, governments, companies and the public to protect and rewild at the scale and speed we need.
Island Conservation
Island Conservation is our world’s only international nonprofit conservation organization dedicated solely to preventing extinctions on islands. Our collaborations with local island communities aim to improve livelihoods, manage invasive species, and reintroduce native animals and plant life. Island Conservation is a United States-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization working through diverse local and international partnerships to foster sustainable development, climate resilience, and healthy island-marine ecosystems across the globe.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego is one of the world’s most important centers for global earth science research and education. In its second century of discovery, Scripps scientists work to understand and protect the planet, and investigate our oceans, Earth, and atmosphere to find solutions to our greatest environmental challenges. Scripps offers unparalleled education and training for the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders through its undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs. The institution also operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels, and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the public exploration center that welcomes 500,000 visitors each year.
