Record Puffin Count on Skomer Island

Record Puffin Count on Skomer Island

A record 43,626 puffins have been counted on Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire coast this year. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) made this discovery during their annual seabird count.

Conservation Success

The trust described the increased number of puffins as "a conservation success story." However, they also warned that the birds remain a species under threat and should continue to be protected.

Importance of Skomer Island

Skomer Island is an internationally important seabird island managed by WTSWW. Key points about the island include:

  • It has no predators due to its isolation from humans.
  • It is home to over 40,000 breeding pairs of Manx Shearwater.
  • Thousands more guillemots and razorbills also inhabit the island.

Counting Methodology

Every year, WTSWW staff use clickers to accurately count birds returning each spring to breed. The counting process involves:

  1. Six members of staff split into teams.
  2. They conduct counts around 4:30 PM, just before sunset, in late May or early June.

Visitor Officer Rob Knott explained their counting method:

"We get our clickers out and start clicking away! We count all those ones that are sitting around waiting for food while others fly overhead so they don’t miss out either."

Importance of Accurate Tracking

The accurate tracking of bird numbers allows scientists to make informed decisions about:

  • Current conservation efforts.
  • Long-term protection plans moving forward.
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