Puffins Reclaim Nesting Grounds on Northern Ireland's Isle of Muck

In a significant milestone for seabird conservation in Northern Ireland, puffins have been spotted nesting on the Isle of Muck for the first time in decades. This remarkable comeback is the result of a dedicated recovery project initiated by the nature charity Ulster Wildlife in 2017.

The project's primary focus was to eradicate the invasive brown rats that posed a major threat to seabird eggs and chicks on the small island. Alongside this, a program of winter grazing was implemented to maintain low vegetation and reduce cover for the rats. These efforts have proven crucial in safeguarding breeding sites and aiding seabird populations to rebound.

The breakthrough for puffins occurred in 2024 when five of the distinctive birds were observed prospecting the island. This summer, two puffins were captured on camera emerging from a nesting burrow on the grassy cliff ledges, providing definitive proof that the birds are now breeding on the Isle of Muck.

"For decades, there had been whispers that puffins once bred on the Isle of Muck, a story that felt more like folklore than fact," said Andy Crory, nature reserves manager with Ulster Wildlife. "But now, thanks to years of hard work creating a safe haven for thousands of seabirds, that myth is becoming a reality."

The ongoing conservation efforts on the Isle of Muck have also led to consistent increases in the populations of other seabirds, including eider ducks, guillemots, herring gulls, and lesser-backed gulls. Ulster Wildlife is now hopeful that the island will become a thriving stronghold for puffins and potentially tempt back other lost species like the Manx shearwater.