FAREWELL PUFFINS OF LUNDEY - UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
In light of the small number of puffins that still rests around Lundey (Puffin Island) and the fact that there's no birds left nesting on the island, we have decided to finish the puffin season as of today, 17th of August.
From tomorrow, the 18th of August, our "GG2 Big Whale Safari and Puffins" will no longer stop by the island to observe the "Clowns of the Sea", but focus on more whale watching instead.
However, for at least the next couple of days, our crew will try their utmost to show you some puffins whilst sailing through the bay as there is still quite some individuals spread out over the sea.
Puffins are pelagic birds and therefore spend most of the year out at the open ocean. Their annual nesting season is the only time of the year these birds touch land. The colony nesting at Puffin Island is one of the largest around the country and a great place to observe these adorable birds during this time. Depending on the colony, puffins return to the open sea sometime between mid and end of August as their breeding season finishes and the so-called pufflings have left their burrow (nest).
Even though it's always sad knowing the puffins are gone, let's take it as a good sign: their nesting was seemingly successful!
Farewell until we meet again next spring, little puffins!
- Sarah
Photo: Arne Helmtag (passenger)