Despite concerns in the not too distant past, the iconic Atlantic Puffins are plentiful on Skellig Michael this season, as these stunning photographs confirm.
The colourful, enigmatic seabirds are spending their summer on the UNESCO sixth century monastic Island, 12km off the coast of Kerry, where they are breeding and fattening their chicks on sand-eel and sprat.
The summer visitor arrived in April and will depart in August.
Puffin nest sites are found in burrows or in cracks and crevices across the island which offers protection from avian predators.
Skellig Michael is a statutory nature reserve, a special protection area and part of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí.
During the summer months, the National Parks and Wildlife Service reminds everyone to let wildlife stay wild and to keep their distance from vulnerable wildlife. Anyone intending to film or photograph wildlife should apply for a licence.
Pictures and video: Valerie O’Sullivan
KillarneyToday.com: Read by thousands of people every day: To advertise call 064-6631281 or 087-2229761
