Puffin numbers in one of the UK's largest colonies, the Isle of May, have suffered a significant decline, according to conservationists. NatureScot reported that the number of burrows occupied by the seabirds on the island in the Firth of Forth has fallen by 30% over the past two years.
A joint survey, which included the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), indicated that violent storms may have killed some birds, while rising ocean temperatures have reportedly harmed sand eel populations, a primary food source for puffins. Researchers described the population decline as "disappointing and concerning."
During a survey conducted this summer, approximately 36,500 burrows on the island were found to be in active use. This represents a drop of nearly a third from the 52,000 burrows estimated to be in use during the last survey of its kind in 2024.
David Steel, the reserve's manager, noted that the decrease appears to be linked to a combination of ongoing pressures on seabird food supplies, poor winter survival, and increasingly extreme weather conditions. Mark Newell, UKCEH's field manager on the Isle of May, expressed concern that future "extreme weather events" could impact the breeding ability of puffins and other species, as climate scientists predict an increase in the frequency and severity of such events.