In Iceland, a community-driven initiative is saving iconic puffins from light pollution and disorientation. The Puffling Patrol on Heimaey Island has not only rescued thousands of chicks but also provided valuable data to scientists studying these seabirds.
How a Puffin Patrol in Iceland is Saving Iconic Seabirds
The Challenge of Light Pollution
Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives at sea but come ashore in summer to mate and raise chicks. On the rocky island of Heimaey off Iceland, around 1.5 million adults pair up and nestle into burrows on the grassy seaside slopes above the cliffs. However, when breeding season is in full swing, some young puffins get disoriented by artificial lighting and lose their way.
The Puffling Patrol: A Community-Based Initiative
The residents of Heimaey have taken a hands-on approach to addressing this issue. Equipped with flashlights, cardboard boxes, and gloves, volunteers head out after dark searching for lost chicks. They scour backyards, parking lots, and rooftops – wherever the bright glow of town competes with moonlight.
Rescuing Stranded Pufflings
On any given night during puffling season, a dozen or more small groups and individuals may be patrolling the town. The volunteers usually catch the birds easily, putting them in cardboard boxes to bring home. People are asked to weigh their rescued pufflings and log them on the Puffling Patrol website.
Helping Scientists Study Puffins at Sea
Healthy rescues – those large enough to live at sea – are taken back to the seaside cliffs. From this height, the birds can catch some air before flying as far as they’re able before landing in the water. Some pufflings need a helpful boost off the clifftop while others take the initiative on their own.
Extra Care for Injured or Underfed Pufflings
Some rescues require extra care. Birds that fall into the harbor and get dirty with oil from ships must be cleaned, otherwise they wouldn’t survive in the frigid North Atlantic. Others may be injured or underfed, requiring medical attention before being released back to their colony.
Monitoring Puffin Populations
For about 420 of the rescued birds, scientists put a ring on the puffins’ legs – an ID band allowing researchers to document each bird’s location and monitor their population. With these rings, scientists have learned that puffins can live at least 40 years.
The Importance of Marine Protected Areas
The data collected from these birds will help weave together the story of each wanderer’s ocean journey. Researchers wait patiently for the birds’ summer return to continue tracking their movements and identifying sites where human activity should be restricted or pollution cleaned up.
A Vital Feeding Ground for Seabirds
Bird migration studies using SEATRACK data have identified a vital feeding ground in the middle of the Atlantic, where restricting human activity could make a big impact. This area is now protected as a marine protected area, providing a safe haven for puffins and other seabirds.
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are designated zones within the ocean where human activities are restricted to conserve marine ecosystems.
These areas cover approximately 7% of the world's oceans, providing a safe habitat for over 30% of all marine species.
MPAs can be classified into different types, including no-take zones, marine reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries.
Effective management of MPAs is crucial for maintaining ocean health, supporting fisheries, and promoting ecosystem services.
Conclusion
The Puffling Patrol on Heimaey has not only saved thousands of pufflings but also provided valuable data to scientists studying these iconic seabirds. As the species faces various threats, including climate change and pollution, initiatives like this one are crucial in helping conserve and protect puffin populations for future generations.
The Atlantic Puffin is a seabird species native to the North Atlantic.
Threatened by climate change, overfishing, and habitat destruction, puffin populations have declined significantly.
To combat this, conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding grounds, reducing bycatch, and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and other organizations work to preserve puffin habitats and educate communities about the importance of conservation.
- sciencenews.org | How a puffin patrol in Iceland is saving the iconic seabirds
