For the first time in a quarter of a century, puffins have returned to nest on the Isle of Muck, a small, windswept island off Islandmagee in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This remarkable comeback, confirmed by conservationists in 2025, marks a milestone not only for the island but for seabird recovery efforts across the region. The rediscovery has sparked excitement among conservationists and bird enthusiasts alike, as the vulnerable seabirds have not been recorded breeding on the island since Ulster Wildlife took over its management 25 years ago, according to BBC.
The story of the puffins’ return begins in 2017, when Ulster Wildlife launched an ambitious seabird restoration project. The charity’s first order of business was tackling the island’s population of invasive brown rats—an ever-present menace to seabird eggs and chicks. As the BBC reported, rats are a major threat on many of the UK’s seabird islands, and their removal is critical for the recovery of species like the puffin. The project also introduced winter grazing by livestock, a measure designed to keep the island’s vegetation low and reduce cover for any remaining predators.
“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, as quoted by The Irish Times. “But now, thanks to years of hard work creating a safe haven for thousands of seabirds, that myth is becoming a reality.”
The first signs of recovery were subtle but encouraging. Annual surveys began to record steady increases in other seabird populations, including eider ducks, guillemots, herring gulls, and lesser-backed gulls, both on and around the island. These findings, reported by The Independent, suggested that the habitat was improving and that the island was once again becoming a sanctuary for a variety of coastal birds.
The true turning point came in 2024, when five puffins were spotted prospecting the island. Then, in the spring and summer of 2025, cameras set up as part of the rat eradication program captured two puffins coming and going from a nesting burrow on the cliff ledges. This behavior—bringing food back to the nest—was a strong indication that the birds were breeding. “So, while a handful of puffins on a tiny island may seem small, this moment is huge – it proves that seabird restoration works,” Crory explained, as cited by The Irish Times.
The return of puffins is particularly significant given their status in the UK and Northern Ireland. Puffins are a priority species in Northern Ireland and are red-listed in the UK, placing them in the highest bracket of conservation concern due to threats such as food shortages, climate change, and predation by invasive species. According to BBC, they spend most of their lives at sea, returning to land only in spring and summer to breed—often at the same nesting site and with the same partner year after year. Each pair typically raises a single chick, affectionately known as a “puffling,” during the breeding season.
Despite this year’s success, it is not yet known if the puffins managed to rear a chick. Still, the conservation team remains optimistic. “Our hope is that the Isle of Muck will become a thriving stronghold for puffins and, in time, tempt back other lost species like the Manx shearwater,” said Crory. “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.”
The restoration efforts on the Isle of Muck are part of a broader movement to protect seabirds in the region. Similar rat removal projects have been carried out elsewhere, such as the LIFE Raft project on Rathlin Island, which is expected to have successfully rid the island of invasive predators. In fact, ferrets have already been cleared from Rathlin in what BBC described as a world-first project. These initiatives are crucial, as seabirds globally face immense challenges; 24 of the 25 breeding species are at risk of local or global extinction, according to Ulster Wildlife.
Funding for the rat eradication program and ongoing species monitoring at the Isle of Muck Nature Reserve comes from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, through Northern Ireland’s Carrier Bag Levy, as reported by The Independent and The Irish Times. This financial backing has enabled Ulster Wildlife to maintain a careful watch over the island’s recovery and to ensure that the habitat remains conducive to seabird breeding.
Yet, the return of the puffins comes with a caveat. The Isle of Muck is not accessible to the public, and Ulster Wildlife has issued repeated warnings about the dangers of attempting to reach the island. The tidal tombolo that occasionally connects the island to the mainland at low tide is hazardous, and the charity urges people to admire the island from a safe distance. “Ulster Wildlife is urging people to keep away and observe the island from a safe distance to give the returning puffins the best possible chance to settle and breed successfully next summer,” The Independent reported.
Looking ahead, the conservation team is hopeful that the island’s isolation and ongoing management will help ensure the puffins’ safety and encourage other lost seabird species to return. The story of the Isle of Muck is a testament to the power of targeted conservation efforts and the resilience of nature when given a fighting chance. As Crory summed up, “Seabirds face immense challenges globally, with 24 of the 25 breeding species at risk of local or global extinction. So, while a handful of puffins on a tiny island may seem small, this moment is huge – it proves that seabird restoration works.”
As the next breeding season approaches, all eyes will be on the Isle of Muck’s cliffs, with conservationists and bird lovers alike hoping to catch a glimpse of the first pufflings. If they do appear, it will be more than just a happy ending—it will be a new beginning for one of Northern Ireland’s most beloved seabirds.
