You will probably have noticed a big increase in activity from the puffins on the cameras from the last weeks of May onwards. This is because their chicks have hatched!
After incubating their eggs for about 6 weeks the parents will finally have a little beak to feed. Puffins only ever have one puffling chick per pair, but the parents have to put in a lot of effort to feed it and get the puffling fat before they fledge (leave to go out to sea at the end of the season).
On average the parent birds spend over 7 hours a day underwater plus around an hour and a half flying back and forth to fishing areas – imagine how much energy that takes! This includes eight to ten feeds every day of around 450 sand eels for themselves and the chick, for about six weeks.
Make sure to watch the cameras in the next few weeks to see the adults dropping in with fish in their beaks, avoiding the gulls which would steal the fish given the chance. We love to hear when watching on the cameras so leave a comment on the blogs or get in touch with Claire on headofoutreach@alderneywildlife.org to tell us what you’ve seen.
It’s only nature I realise that but it was harsh watching a gull just now grab an adult puffin out of burrow number 88 and shake it about in its beak as the poor puffin fought for its freedom, which I am glad to say after about 25 seconds it did and flew off towards the water. It had tried earlier to grab one just behind the rock in the middle of the main cam shot. Be interesting to know if a puffin continues to feed burrow 88
Hello, tonight i was so disappointed to find the Stream is currently off line. I hope its nothing serious.I love watching all the Puffins also the Rabbits. Couple of days ago there is this Naughty / Nasty Seagull, walking around looking in the burrows, and Chasing / Attacking the Puffins.I really do hope its not going to put the Puffins off returning next year. This may sound silly to you, but i feel like catching him and sending him to Tim Buck Too. Its awful sitting here,not being able to do anything.Once again i thank you for the Web Cams., and i hope they are back on soon. 🙂