RSPB NI staff and volunteers are on hand here to welcome visitors and they have binoculars and telescopes for visitors' use.   One needs a fair level of stamina to go exploring here. There's a strong sea breeze to battle against, rapidly changing weather and there's an 89 step descent to the viewing platform, or 164 steps to the bottom of the lighthouse. The island population totals 75 people and there's no medical or emergency services. The puffins are the main attraction for Centre visitors but they had beggared off long before we got to this island. All puffin species have predominantly black or black and white plumage, a stocky build, and large beaks that get brightly coloured during breeding season. They shed the colorful outer parts of their bills after breeding season, leaving a smaller and duller beak. Their short wings are adapted for swimming with a flying technique underwater. In the air, they beat their wings rapidly (up to 400 times per minute) in swift flight, often flying low over the ocean's surface. These birds spend most of their lives at sea. They only visit sites like Rathlin for the brief summer breeding season. The seabirds start leaving the island to head back to sea from mid -July. The razorbills and guillemots go first, quickly followed by the puffins. The kittiwakes and fulmars will remain for most of August. We did spot a few kittiwakes.   The Society has a token admission charge to the Seabird Centre for non-members. Currently (August 2024) adults £5, children £2.50. read more

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