Wild Puffin Climate Change Welfare Impacts

Atlantic puffins face mounting welfare challenges from climate-driven changes in prey fish distribution and availability.

Key Facts

Puffins feed primarily on sandeels and small fish in shallow coastal waters
Warm sea temperatures reduce sandeel availability in some regions affecting chick feeding
UK puffin colonies including those at Skomer and Handa have experienced variable breeding success
Puffins make thousands of fish-carrying trips to their burrows during the chick-rearing period
Climate change is shifting fish distribution northward reducing access from traditional colonies
Oil pollution at sea causes rapid mortality in puffins unable to fly after feather fouling

Welfare Considerations

Puffin welfare is acutely sensitive to sea temperature changes that affect prey fish distribution. Chicks that do not receive sufficient fish fail to reach fledging weight, causing starvation and death. Climate mitigation is the most fundamental long-term welfare intervention for seabirds dependent on temperature-sensitive fish stocks.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB seabird monitoring programmes at key puffin colonies
Donate to wildlife rescue organisations that treat oiled seabirds including puffins
Advocate for ambitious climate targets recognising impacts on marine wildlife welfare
Participate in RSPB Seabird Count volunteer surveys
Learn about sandeel fisheries management and its links to seabird welfare