Puffins return to NI nature reserve after 25 years

Until recently small numbers of puffins had only been seen in the waters surrounding the island

Puffins have been found nesting on the Isle of Muck in County Antrim, after being absent for at least 25 years.

They are one of Northern Ireland's most famous and seabirds but they are also seen as vulnerable by conservationists.

Ulster Wildlife made the discovery at the nature reserve off Islandmagee, this summer.

In breeding season, thousands of seabirds nest on the Isle of Muck including guillemot, black guillemot, and kittiwake - but until recently small numbers of puffins had only been seen in the waters surrounding the island.

The discovery was made during routine surveys, when two puffins were caught on camera coming out of a nesting burrow on the grassy cliff ledges – a positive sign that the birds are breeding.

This comeback marks a major milestone in their recovery, with Andy Crory, Nature Reserves Manager with Ulster Wildlife, saying "while a handful of puffins on a tiny island may seem small, this moment is huge".

Their return comes after a special project to remove brown rats from the tiny island.

Rats are the biggest threat to seabird eggs and chicks.

Since the project began the team have seen other bird numbers rise and it was hoped more puffins might also return, after a breakthrough last year, when five were spotted exploring the island.

"For decades, there had been whispers that puffins once bred on the Isle of Muck, a story that felt more like folklore than fact," Andy Crory explained.

"Our hope is that the Isle of Muck will become a thriving stronghold for puffins.

"For now, we're waiting with great excitement to see if the first 'pufflings' – baby puffins – appear on the cliffs next summer. That truly would be the icing on the cake."