Westlight Viewpoint, Belfast

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds manage a stretch of cliffs on the North Coast of Rathlin Island where the largest colony of seabirds in Northern Ireland breeds. A good vantage point is at Westlight Viewpoint, where access is only under supervision of R.S.P.B. staff (contact the warden, Liam McFaul, before visiting). Thousands of guillemots, kittiwakes, razerbills, fulmars and puffins nest on the cliffs, while gannets, Manx shearwater and skuas can be seen flying past in large groups if you look seawards. Westlight Viewpoint is open during the breeding season by permission of the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The best time to go is May or June. A minibus service operates between the harbor and Westlight Viewpoint at West Lighthouse.

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