Manx shearwaters bred on Rathlin Island for the first time in decades, thanks to a major conservation effort.

Manx shearwaters, a rare seabird species, have successfully bred on Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland for the first time in decades, with young birds observed preparing to fledge. This milestone follows a £45 million conservation effort called LIFE Raft, which aims to eradicate invasive predators like rats and ferrets threatening burrow-nesting seabirds. Supported by EU LIFE, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and other organizations, the project targets the recovery of Manx shearwaters, puffins, and black guillemots. The breeding success marks a key step in restoring Rathlin’s seabird populations and biodiversity.