Latest news with #Puffins
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Science
- Irish Independent
Nature Trail: Puffins live most of their lives in the open ocean
They are far from land and as they float on the surface they are perpetually wet. The surface of the open ocean is an exposed place, so they have nowhere to shelter. Consequently, they are often cold. Then factor in rain, storms and rough seas and the result is that the North Atlantic Ocean is a tough environment to spend most of the year in, including the winter months. Over a prolonged period of time the weak succumbed to the harsh conditions and perished. The loss of any individual is, of course, unfortunate but from an evolutionary point of view their deaths meant that their genes were removed from the gene pool. The strong survived and their survival meant that the gene pool was refined and improved, and their offspring inherited characteristics that made them more likely to survive. A dense covering of feathers and an oil gland to waterproof the feathers are key factors if a Puffin is to keep dry and to survive the winter. Insulation in the form of a layer of fat and feathers that trap air are also vitally important to keep warm. Puffins feed by duck diving from the sea surface and pursuing their prey using their wings to fly underwater and using their webbed feet as rudders to steer. They can dive to depths of over 50m and stay down for about one minute. Again, from one generation to another, nature is selecting for continual survival those that have good genes for diving, swimming, and breath-holding. In the open ocean, Puffins have no source of freshwater for drinking. Their diet is extremely high in salt, so they need some way of coping with thirst and excess salt. And so, the list of factors that ensures an ability to winter at sea goes on and on. The one thing that Puffins cannot do at sea is make nests and lay eggs. They have to come to land to do that and that's when we get an opportunity between late May and mid-July to see these remarkable birds.
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Wales Online
Record numbers of unique bird now populating a tiny Welsh island
Record numbers of unique bird now populating a tiny Welsh island Skomer Island's puffin colony has previously been described as 'exceptional' by David Attenborough A record number of puffins have been counted on Skomer Island (Image: Mike Alexander / WTSWW ) A record number of puffins have been recorded on a small Welsh island famous for its wildlife. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) counted 43,626 during its observation on Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, this year. This record high bucks the trend of decline seen globally in puffin populations. A warden said that Skomer Island is an example of a "conservation success story" but warned that the species is still at risk. Puffins are listed as vulnerable to extinction on the global red list. Like many seabird species, they they are facing the pressures of pollution, food shortages and climate change. However, puffin numbers on Skomer Island have been steadily increasing over recent years, with over 40,000 birds now returning to the island from April to July. The last record was set in 2023, when 42,513 puffins were recorded on and around the island. David Attenborough once described Skomer's puffin colony as an 'exception' (Image: Jonathan Myers ) The growth in Skomer Island's population is likely linked to the abundance of food in the wider area, meaning there is plenty of fish for chicks resulting in high breeding success. The absence of rats and other predators on the island thanks to its isolation has also contributed to the success of seabird populations on Skomer. Article continues below The treasured island has long been a pride and joy to the Welsh coastline, tucked away in Pembrokeshire. Skomer attracts visitors from all over the world alongside being a regular touring spot to discover vibrant wildlife in the country. Even David Attenborough called the 40,000-strong puffin colony on the island "exceptional" compared to other parts of the world when he visited Skomer for BBC One series Wild Isles. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Every year WTSWW undertakes their annual seabird counts to monitor the population of Puffins that return to the island every spring to breed. Leighton Newman, Skomer Island warden, said: "Our annual Puffin count is no small undertaking, with 6 members of staff working to count every Puffin on Skomer. The island is broken up into seven sections and we systematically count every bird; on the land, rafting on the sea and we estimate the number in the air during our counts. "This is undertaken in the evening, when there are generally more Puffins around the island and early enough in the season that birds are not already in burrows. Big land falls this year, has led to Puffins being seen further up the cliffs than ever before!" Over 40,000 puffins return to Skomer Island each spring (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below Lisa Morgan, Head of Islands and Marine Conservation at WTSWW, said: "It was a joy to see the masses of birds using the island during our spring count. However, we remain concerned about the increasing pressures on many seabird species. "Novel threats facing our seabirds include avian influenza and the recent marine heatwave conditions experienced around parts of the UK coastline. The long-term impacts are still largely unknown highlighting the importance of our annual seabird monitoring and research programs on Skomer."
Western Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Western Telegraph
Record numbers of puffins on Pembrokeshire's Skomer Island
They are the who fly to the island to make it one of the best seabird sites in Britain. The island is renowned for its iconic Atlantic Puffins, who are particularly precious as their numbers are in decline in most of their habitats. But happily, that is not the case on Skomer. The island's recent annual Puffin Count has tallied 43,626 of the species, whose colourful and comical appearance has led them to be dubbed 'the clowns of the sea'. More Stories Skomer Island and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales announced the results of the count in a recent Facebook post. And Skomer has 43,625 more puffins than this one! (Image: Amy Compton) They said: "The numbers are in and it's another record breaker! "We're thrilled to announce that 43,626 Puffins were recorded on Skomer Island as part of our annual Puffin Count. 'This count is no small undertaking, with six members of staff working to count every Puffin on Skomer. The island is broken up into seven sections and we systematically count every bird on the land, rafting on the sea and we estimate the number in the air during our counts. "Big land falls this year have led to Puffins being seen further up the cliffs than ever before! It's only a 20-minute sea voyage – operated by .Pembrokeshire Islands Boat Trips - from the mainland, but is so popular with visitors that there are no day trips bookable before July 25. (Image: Lucy Crockford) 'Although numbers are increasing on Skomer, they are a species under threat and are rapidly declining elsewhere. 'We are acutely aware of the threats facing these charismatic birds and we must do all we can to continue to protect them.' Alongside the Atlantic Puffins, the seabird population of Skomer includes nearly 350,000 breeding pairs of Manx Shearwaters, thousands of Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes and hundreds of Fulmars.
The Herald Scotland
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Nature charities call for proposed offshore windfarm to be refused
RSPB Scotland has joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Seabird Centre and Scottish Wildlife Trust to urge Scottish ministers to refuse Berwick Bank "to protect wildlife and progress less damaging offshore projects". The charities say new offshore wind developments are currently being held back due to their combined impacts with Berwick Bank on Scotland's globally important seabird populations. It comes as seabirds already face serious challenges, from Avian Flu to unsustainable fishing practices. Around 70% of seabird species are in decline in Scotland, including much-loved Puffins which face national and global extinction, according to RSPB Scotland. READ MORE: Scottish Seabird Centre objects to 'highly damaging' Berwick Bank plan Community anger as bid for 'groundbreaking' windfarm project rejected Work to start at major new Scottish wind farm as key contractors hired Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'Offshore wind has a key role in tackling the climate and nature emergency. We fully support well-sited wind farms which work with nature. But they are being held back by a major spanner in the works. 'Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland's globally important seabirds. Its impacts are so damaging it is blocking plans for new, less-harmful windfarms. 'As the First Minister said earlier this year: nature should be at the heart of climate action. Our message to the Scottish Government is clear. Refuse Berwick Bank to unlock the full potential of offshore wind while protecting our outstanding wildlife.' Diarmid Hearns, interim director of conservation and policy at The National Trust for Scotland, said: 'The National Trust for Scotland cares for St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, which is home to approximately 45,000 seabirds during breeding season, including protected Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill and Shag species. 'Climate change is one of the biggest threats to seabirds and offshore wind development is important to meet Scotland's climate ambitions, therefore we are fully supportive of it. However, installations must be located with sensitivity to the very habitats we're trying to protect from climate impacts- the proposed site for Berwick Bank is likely to cause high levels of ecological damage and severely impact the seabird colonies at St Abb's Head. Bass Rock is home to the world's largest colony of Northern gannets. 'We urge Ministers to reject the proposal for Berwick Bank and instead focus on advancing proposals in more appropriate locations.' Harry Huyton, CEO at Scottish Seabird Centre, said: 'The Firth of Forth is home to globally important seabird populations, including the world's largest colony of Gannets on Bass Rock. 'Most of Scotland's seabird species are already in decline, and Berwick Bank threatens to undermine attempts to restore populations by killing and displacing tens of thousands of seabirds. It is simply the wrong place for an offshore wind farm. 'We want to see a strong and vibrant offshore wind industry in Scotland, which avoids developing sensitive sites for wildlife and actively contributes to nature conservation. Ministers must urgently act for nature and the future of offshore wind by refusing consent to Berwick Bank.' Jo Pike, chief executive at Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: "Renewable energy developments will be a key component in tackling the climate emergency, but this must be done in a way that also protects nature. 'Scotland's seas are facing the twin nature and climate crises and developments must therefore be strategically placed to avoid damaging already vulnerable species and habitats. 'Refusing consent to Berwick Bank in favour of developments in less sensitive areas would allow for progress towards Net Zero commitments at pace, whilst mitigating the impacts to nature.'
The National
30-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Calls for proposed mega offshore windfarm to be refused
A coalition of five charities have written to the First Minister urging him to reject Berwick Bank windfarm in the Firth of Forth, to protect wildlife and progress less damaging offshore projects. RSPB Scotland has joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Seabird Centre and Scottish Wildlife Trust. Developer SSE has said it has already amended its designs to minimise any potential risks to Scottish seabirds. READ MORE: Stagecoach bus strikes suspended after legal threat Berwick Bank is planned for an area four times the size of the entire City of Edinburgh Council area, just 40km off the East Lothian coast, close to iconic seabird sites like the Bass Rock and Isle of May. New offshore wind developments are currently being held back due to their combined impacts with Berwick Bank on Scotland's globally important seabird populations. The group highlights Ossian, a similar sized windfarm to Berwick Bank which would generate almost the same amount of electricity, which is proposed further offshore and away from key seabird sites. Ossian alone would reduce the Kittiwake population at St Abb's Head by up to 13%, and along with the Berwick Bank, the tow are expected to reduce the same Kittiwake population by up to 81%. If Berwick Bank goes ahead, it is almost impossible to imagine that Ossian would be allowed to proceed due to these devastating impacts. Around 70% of seabird species are in decline in Scotland, including Puffins which face national and global extinction. Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'Offshore wind has a key role in tackling the climate and nature emergency. We fully support well-sited wind farms which work with nature. But they are being held back by a major spanner in the works. 'Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland's globally important seabirds. Its impacts are so damaging it is blocking plans for new, less-harmful windfarms. 'As the First Minister said earlier this year: nature should be at the heart of climate action. Our message to the Scottish Government is clear. Refuse Berwick Bank to unlock the full potential of offshore wind while protecting our outstanding wildlife.' READ MORE: Scottish Tory bid to oust Maggie Chapman from Holyrood committee reeks of hypocrisy Diarmid Hearns, interim director of conservation and policy at The National Trust for Scotland, said: 'The National Trust for Scotland cares for St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, which is home to approximately 45,000 seabirds during breeding season, including protected Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill and Shag species. 'Climate change is one of the biggest threats to seabirds and offshore wind development is important to meet Scotland's climate ambitions, therefore we are fully supportive of it. However, installations must be located with sensitivity to the very habitats we're trying to protect from climate impacts- the proposed site for Berwick Bank is likely to cause high levels of ecological damage and severely impact the seabird colonies at St Abb's Head. 'We urge Ministers to reject the proposal for Berwick Bank and instead focus on advancing proposals in more appropriate locations.' Harry Huyton, CEO at Scottish Seabird Centre, added: 'The Firth of Forth is home to globally important seabird populations, including the world's largest colony of Gannets on Bass Rock. 'Most of Scotland's seabird species are already in decline, and Berwick Bank threatens to undermine attempts to restore populations by killing and displacing tens of thousands of seabirds. It is simply the wrong place for an offshore wind farm. 'We want to see a strong and vibrant offshore wind industry in Scotland, which avoids developing sensitive sites for wildlife and actively contributes to nature conservation. Ministers must urgently act for nature and the future of offshore wind by refusing consent to Berwick Bank.'
