Even Puffins Get the Blues

Even Puffins Get the Blues

I know I’m guilty of anthropomorphism with the behaviour of this little group of puffins, but you tell me if the one on the left isn’t having a bad day while the other two are trying to cheer her up?

If you ever get the chance to visit a puffin rookery you will be in for a real treat. Of all the birdlife I have experienced, these guys would have to be among the cutest, most awkward, whimsical and trusting of any wild animal I have spent time with.

We visited the Saltee Islands back in June, one of Ireland’s most significant puffin rookeries, where they take up residence for the summer months to nest and raise their chicks. Each mating pair will lay a single egg and it becomes their joint responsibility to raise the chick until it is independent by autumn, when the entire community heads out to sea for the winter.

We spent about four hours just sitting with them and watching their clumsy antics. If you sat very still they would wander right up to you, looking just as confused as ever, before wandering off again. By the end of the day we were thoroughly enamoured by their quirky antics and endlessly curious nature.

Thank you to Helen from the Mallow Camera Club for organising such a wonderful adventure with these gorgeous birds. As the boat took us back to the mainland I could not help wishing that our little puffin would have a better day tomorrow.


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