In a desperate bid to save one of the UK’s most significant seabird sanctuaries, conservationists have launched an ambitious £4.5 million project to eradicate invasive rats and ferrets from Northern Ireland’s Rathlin Island. The picturesque island, known for its towering sea cliffs and vibrant bird life, has witnessed a staggering 74% decline in its puffin population between 1991 and 2021, according to an EU study.
“Monster Task” to Protect Endangered Seabirds
The Life Raft project, a partnership between the RSPB, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the local community, aims to eliminate the key predators threatening the island’s seabirds. A crack team of 40 scientists, researchers, conservationists, and volunteers has begun the final phase of the project, placing poisoned bait stations designed to eradicate the island’s rat population.
Stuart Johnston, director of operations at Climbwired International Ltd, emphasized the scale and complexity of the mission. “It is a monster task,” he stated, noting that Rathlin boasts some of the highest cliffs in the UK. Climbers must navigate crumbling basalt and laterite rock faces, suspended on ropes hundreds of meters above the crashing waves of the Atlantic.
Ferrets Already Eradicated in First Phase
The project’s first phase, focusing on ferret eradication, concluded last year with the removal of nearly 100 ferrets from the island. Liam McFaul, warden for the RSPB and Rathlin native, recounted a harrowing incident in which a single ferret killed 27 puffins near a beach before it could be trapped.
“Puffins come from late April to July. They find the same partner every year. They are notoriously hard to count because they nest in burrows in the ground, which also makes them vulnerable.”
– Liam McFaul, RSPB Warden
Ground-Nesting Birds Most at Risk
Ground-nesting birds like puffins and Manx shearwaters are particularly susceptible to predation by invasive mammals. On Rathlin, only one in three puffin chicks survives, compared to two out of three on rat-free islands. The Manx shearwater population has also suffered dramatically, with only a handful of breeding pairs remaining on the island’s remote northern cliffs.
Community Supports Eradication Efforts
Despite some initial concerns over the ethics of culling ferrets and the need for property access, the Rathlin community has largely embraced the Life Raft project. Michael Cecil, chair of the Rathlin Development and Community Association, emphasized the importance of seabirds to the island’s economy, which relies heavily on eco-tourism.
“We can’t do anything about the wider worldwide problem seabirds are facing, but we are hoping that Rathlin will do its bit.”
– Michael Cecil, Chair of Rathlin Development and Community Association
Innovative Monitoring Techniques
As the project enters its final stages, innovative monitoring techniques are being employed to track its success. Woody, a specially trained Labrador retriever, has been brought to the island to detect any remaining ferret feces, helping to confirm the completeness of the eradication effort.
A Beacon of Hope for Island Conservation
If successful, the Rathlin Island seabird restoration initiative could serve as a model for similar conservation efforts worldwide. With invasive species eradications boasting an 88% success rate and often leading to dramatic increases in biodiversity, the Life Raft project offers a beacon of hope for endangered seabirds and the unique island ecosystems they call home.
As the dedicated team of conservationists, scientists, and volunteers continue their tireless work on Rathlin’s rugged cliffs and windswept headlands, the world watches with bated breath, hoping that this extraordinary intervention will secure a brighter future for some of the UK’s most beloved and beleaguered seabirds.
