Volunteer to Count Puffins on Remote Welsh Island

An exceptional opportunity awaits nature enthusiasts interested in contributing to wildlife conservation. Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, Wales, is actively recruiting volunteers for a crucial role: counting its significant puffin colony. This remote island sanctuary hosts over 40,000 puffins, making it one of Britain's most important sites for the species.

Volunteers will spend several months during spring, summer, and autumn on the island, engaging in detailed bird counts. This unpaid role comes with the benefit of free accommodation and travel expenses, plus a bursary ranging from £200 to £400. The counting process, described as "quite the job," involves dividing the island into sections and meticulously recording puffin numbers on land, sea, and in the air.

Puffins are globally classified as vulnerable to extinction, adding urgency to conservation efforts. Despite a global decline, Skomer Island reported a record number of puffins last year. This increase is attributed to the island's predator-free environment and abundant food sources. Volunteer duties may also extend to monitoring chick productivity, grey seal populations, and assisting with the island's daily operations and visitor management.