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Puffins Plummet: Food Scarcity Hits UK Colony
4 Sep
Summary
- Puffin burrows on Isle of May decreased by 30% in two years.
- Rising ocean temperatures harm sand eels, the puffins' main food.
- Violent storms also contributed to puffin population decline.
Puffin numbers at one of the UK's largest colonies on the Isle of May have seen a significant decline, with occupied burrows falling by 30% over the past two years. Conservationists attribute this "disappointing and concerning" drop to a confluence of environmental pressures.
Rising ocean temperatures have severely impacted sand eel populations, the primary food source for puffins. This scarcity, coupled with damage from violent storms, has led to a sharp decrease in puffin numbers. Researchers noted a drop from 52,000 active burrows in 2024 to 36,500 this past summer.
Conservation efforts are deemed crucial as climate scientists predict more frequent and severe extreme weather events. The Isle of May, a national nature reserve, also hosts diverse bird species and seals, making its ecological health a broader concern for biodiversity.
