Worryingly high amount of dead puffins washing up in Cornwall

A noticeable increase in puffin strandings has been reported across the Cornwall coastline, understood to be linked to recent stormy weather conditions.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust says if you discover a dead puffin, you should report it to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) through their website.

For those who find a live puffin, ensure that you are properly equipped before intervening, due to the risk of bird flu. Gloves, mask, and eye protection are highly recommended.

In cases of finding live puffins, contact a local vet or the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre.

Essential actions when assisting live puffins:

• Do not return the bird to the sea.
• Do not give the bird food or water.
• Gently cover the bird’s head with a towel and wrap its wings securely.
• Place in a ventilated cardboard box lined with a towel.
• Keep the box warm, dark, and quiet—placing it in a car’s footwell is suitable, but do not use heat lamps.
• Swiftly transport the bird to receive specialist care.

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust had initially directed reports to their Marine Strandings Network hotline but has experienced overwhelming numbers with approximately 300 reports, prompting a change in handling these cases.

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