A lovely read and a lovely little creature. I saw puffins for the first time this year over on the east coast on a boat trip to the Farne Islands. We weren't allowed on the island due to avian flu, but it was magical to see them from the boat. Pufflings is a wonderful word!
Yes, I happen to agree with you. It is a simple enough solution that would absolutely work, but the people who are able to facilitate change still seem to behave as if these are problems we can ignore...it breaks my heart to see nature suffering.
We were on Skomer the week before this one. Amazing to see so many beautiful birds unworried by proximity of humans. Bit surprised the visits are still happening, given the fresh announcements re bird flu. Sadly saw a number of very new dead razorbills on Freshwater West. It will be heartbreaking if we lose lots more puffins.
Yes we wondered about visitors and bird flu too, I know puffins are less affected but other seabirds are. The only thing I can think is that because people are kept to paths, the spread by humans is going to be insignificant compared to spread among the birds themselves. Given the volume of birds compared to the small number of humans, it’s the bird to bird contact that will be the problem. It’ll be interesting to know, though I trust the multiple organisations running the island to make the right decision.
Yes, I wasn’t too worried about myself. The warden said that visitors should not be overly-concerned about seeing carcasses given the enormous number of birds ie ratio of dead:live relative to our “normal” encounters with a few birds. Even so, we were hardly back when the announcements re Pembrokeshire came through. But, a great trip and I would love to do it again.
Hi. Yes the puffins are still on the Farne Islands but the RSPB have stopped anyone landing on the islands due to concerns about Avian Flu. They are still on Coquet Island but visitors have never been allowed to land. You were very lucky to be able to be so close to them and take such amazing photos. I'm jealous.
I live near to Coquet Island which is another puffin colony. You can't land on the island but you can take a boat trip out to the island which I have done. Totally agree they are wonderful birds and thanks for writing about them.
Are they still on a few islands along the Northumberland coast? We were there a number of years ago but weren’t able to take the boat to see them then.
A lovely read and a lovely little creature. I saw puffins for the first time this year over on the east coast on a boat trip to the Farne Islands. We weren't allowed on the island due to avian flu, but it was magical to see them from the boat. Pufflings is a wonderful word!
I’m glad you got to see them. The fact the babies are called pufflings suggests to me people have always had a love of these little birds.
Loved this! A virtual trip to this Puffin Island was just what I needed this morning. I just love these birds!
glad you enjoyed it they're fun to write about and glad to share the photos of them!
Fabulous post, I learnt so much from it too! What an uplifting experience.
Thanks Sam! They’re interesting little birds 💞
This was a joyful read, Jack! Thank you 😊
Thanks Andie! Puffins are such joyful little things :)
I loved this short little post about short little animals.
😄
Loved this Jack, your photos are amazing! I hope there is some way of saving the declining numbers, things have to change.
I hope so too, I think it’s a simple case of protecting the breeding grounds and not fishing so heavily where they feed.
Yes, I happen to agree with you. It is a simple enough solution that would absolutely work, but the people who are able to facilitate change still seem to behave as if these are problems we can ignore...it breaks my heart to see nature suffering.
Me too, this is the great frustration, those who understand the solutions vs those who don’t see it as a problem.
We were on Skomer the week before this one. Amazing to see so many beautiful birds unworried by proximity of humans. Bit surprised the visits are still happening, given the fresh announcements re bird flu. Sadly saw a number of very new dead razorbills on Freshwater West. It will be heartbreaking if we lose lots more puffins.
Yes we wondered about visitors and bird flu too, I know puffins are less affected but other seabirds are. The only thing I can think is that because people are kept to paths, the spread by humans is going to be insignificant compared to spread among the birds themselves. Given the volume of birds compared to the small number of humans, it’s the bird to bird contact that will be the problem. It’ll be interesting to know, though I trust the multiple organisations running the island to make the right decision.
Yes, I wasn’t too worried about myself. The warden said that visitors should not be overly-concerned about seeing carcasses given the enormous number of birds ie ratio of dead:live relative to our “normal” encounters with a few birds. Even so, we were hardly back when the announcements re Pembrokeshire came through. But, a great trip and I would love to do it again.
Hi. Yes the puffins are still on the Farne Islands but the RSPB have stopped anyone landing on the islands due to concerns about Avian Flu. They are still on Coquet Island but visitors have never been allowed to land. You were very lucky to be able to be so close to them and take such amazing photos. I'm jealous.
I live near to Coquet Island which is another puffin colony. You can't land on the island but you can take a boat trip out to the island which I have done. Totally agree they are wonderful birds and thanks for writing about them.
Are they still on a few islands along the Northumberland coast? We were there a number of years ago but weren’t able to take the boat to see them then.