THE first puffins have returned to Rathlin island for the nesting season.
The RSPB said the first birds landed on Saturday - the same date they arrived in 2020 and just one day earlier than they were sighted in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The puffins, an endangered species, will nest and raise their young before returning to sea in late summer.
Rathlin, off the coast of Co Antrim, is home to one of the largest seabird colonies in Britain and Ireland. The colony also includes kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars and guillemots.
RSPB NI Rathlin warden, Liam McFaul, said seeing the first puffins of spring was an "uplifting sight".
"On Saturday morning we glimpsed the bright orange feet and colourful bills of our first puffins to arrive back to the island," he said.
"Over the next couple of weeks, more puffins will be returning to nest in burrows and raise their young."
Visitors can see the puffins at the RSPB's West Light Seabird Centre, which will reopen on April 15.
"Visitors from all around the world (can) enjoy their antics, as the adult birds take it in turns to incubate their single egg from late April or early May and share the feeding duties until the chick is ready to fledge," Mr McFaul said.
The centre will be open until September 20.
Visitors can also explore eight outdoor trails on Rathlin, including the RSPB's new 2.1km walking trail at Craigmacagan nature reserve.
For more information visit rspb.org.uk/rathlinIsland
