Marine & Wildlife

Wild Puffin Atlantic Colony Welfare

Atlantic puffin colonies face significant welfare pressures from climate-driven prey fish decline, plastic ingestion and avian influenza, requiring urgent conservation attention.

Key Facts

UK puffin population is estimated at 580,000 breeding pairs, centred on Scottish islands
Sandeels are the primary prey for chick rearing and are declining with sea temperature rise
Puffins ingest marine plastics which they may feed to chicks, causing malnutrition
Avian influenza outbreaks have affected puffin colonies with mortality at some sites
Puffin burrow cameras at public viewing sites provide welfare-positive ecotourism opportunities

Welfare Considerations

Atlantic puffin welfare is threatened by systemic changes to ocean ecosystems driven by climate change. Direct threats including plastic pollution can be reduced through individual and policy action.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic use to limit marine plastic entering seabird breeding diets
Support the RSPB's seabird monitoring and colony protection work
Visit puffin colonies responsibly at designated viewing sites only