Puffins return to Rathlin Island in punctual fashion

For the seventh year in a row, puffins have returned to Rathlin Island in March, signalling the start of a new nesting season.

The RSPB NI said the “punctual Puffins” were spotted arriving on the island on Tuesday.

Traditionally, the seabirds have returned around the same date every year for the last seven years, arriving just in time for the clocks changing at the end of the month.

The RSPB NI said the “sight of these remarkable creatures with their distinctive orange feet and bright bills is a wonderful occasion for all”.

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Liam McFaul, RSPB NI Rathlin Reserves Warden said: “Witnessing the first Puffins returning to the island is always a thrilling experience.

“Their arrival indicates the renewal of life on the Rathlin cliffs, as they prepare to nest and rear their young in the weeks to come.

“The best time for a close-up view of the Puffins and our other seabirds is usually late April to early July.”

Rathlin Island is not only a haven for Puffins, but also hosts a diverse array of birdlife, including razorbills, fulmars, and guillemots.

Visitors to the island have the opportunity to observe these fascinating seabirds as they go about their breeding activities amongst the stunning backdrop of Rathlin’s cliffs.

Puffins are endangered, and Rathlin Island remains one of the prime locations to catch a glimpse of the species in Northern Ireland.

The RSPB NI’s West Light Seabird Centre is due to re-open on Easter Sunday allowing visitors to “submerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the largest seabird colony in Northern Ireland.