Seabirds

Atlantic Puffin Colony Decline and Climate Impacts

Atlantic puffin colonies are declining as climate change shifts fish distribution away from traditional nesting areas, causing chick starvation at formerly productive colonies.

Key Facts

Puffins nest in burrows on coastal cliffs and islands returning to the same burrow sites for decades
They feed primarily on sand eels and small fish that have declined as sea temperatures rise
The Isle of May in Scotland has seen puffin numbers fall by 40 percent since 2003
Puffin chicks left in burrows by parents who cannot find enough fish starve to death

Welfare Considerations

Puffin chick starvation is a slow and distressing process that is becoming more common as climate change reduces sand eel availability near traditional nesting colonies. Parent puffins that cannot find adequate prey near their colony face an impossible choice between traveling farther and leaving chicks unattended longer. The mismatch between breeding seasons and prey availability is the key climate-driven mechanism causing puffin colony decline.

What You Can Do

Support climate action as the primary intervention for puffin colony welfare
Donate to seabird monitoring programs tracking puffin population trends and breeding success
Support reduction of additional stressors including offshore wind placement away from key feeding areas
Never disturb puffin breeding colonies especially during the chick-rearing period