Charity seeks help with twitchers

The pay's non-existent and the social life is somewhat limited, but a wildlife charity has launched an appeal for summer helpers on an island six miles off the coast of Antrim.

Normally Rathlin Island has a population of about 80 people, but during the summer there is an invasion of visitors.

The RSPB expects to welcome 8,000 visitors to the boot-shaped island, which is just four miles from east to west and 2.5 miles from north to south.

They are drawn because of the thousands of seabirds - including Kittiwakes, Puffins and Razorbills - and the spectacular views of the cliff colonies from the RSPB nature reserve.

The wildlife charity is seeking a residential voluntary warden to join their team on the island and help with the rush.

Visitor and Community Officer Alison McFaul anyone ready to give up their time for a few weeks would be making a "genuine contribution to wildlife conservation".

"Rathlin island, and the RSPB's brand new Seabird Centre, are a popular summer destination for tourists and part of the role would be talking with visitors and pointing out the fantastic wildlife on the island," she said.

The island's population jumps in the summer

Those interested should be enthusiastic, be able to work as part of a team, be interested in conservation and have a reasonable level of fitness.

While there is no pay the charity says training will be provided and expenses re-imbursed where necessary.

While there is a sparse non-feathered population, the island boasts a rich history.

It is reputed that one of its caves is where Scotland's Robert the Bruce contemplated the determination of a spider and, according to the Annals of Ulster, it was the site of the first Viking raid on Ireland in 795.

Rathlin was the site of an infamous 1575 massacre when the Earl of Essex ordered a force to the island which killed hundreds of the women and children of Clan MacDonnell.

In more peaceful times it helped usher in the modern era with the world's first commercial wireless telegraphy link being established by employees of Guglielmo Marconi from East Lighthouse on the island to Ballycastle in 1898.

More recently, Richard Branson crashed his hot air balloon into the sea off Rathlin Island in 1987 after his record-breaking cross-Atlantic flight.