Skomer Island - Are the Puffins still there?

delboysafa · 13 Aug 2008

Hi,

I have been watching the weather for Haverford West for the last 2 and a half months and it does not seem to have stopped raining in that time there.

I have just checked the weather forecast for the next 2 days and it seems clear. I am considering driving up from London, but just wanted to know if the puffins will still be around?

Thanks

D

theMusicMan · 13 Aug 2008

delboysafa said:
Hi,

I have been watching the weather for Haverford West for the last 2 and a half months and it does not seem to have stopped raining in that time there.

I have just checked the weather forecast for the next 2 days and it seems clear. I am considering driving up from London, but just wanted to know if the puffins will still be around?

Thanks

D

Hi D

I have just spent a night on Skomer and sorry to say that 99% of the Puffins are now gone for the season. They usually leave during the first few weeks of August. I did spot a handful of them - that's all though. All opportunities for the classic Sand Eel in Puffin Beak shot I'm afraid are gone;

I can say though that without a shadow of a doubt, the experience is still very much worthwhile. I did a write up (with some pics) of my experience, and what can still be seen on the island here;

http://e-group.uk.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2627

jerry12953 · 13 Aug 2008

I'm not that far from Skomer and I do wonder which weather forecast you've been looking at .... bucket loads of salt required methinks

GerryD · 13 Aug 2008

Try this link out for a timetable of when to expect the puffins on Skomer.

Its a pdf, so may take a little while to down load

Excellent photo, John.

Tobers · 13 Aug 2008

I was there a couple of weeks back and there were only a handful of them left so I'd say you've missed the boat.

Tulipone · 13 Aug 2008

Where do the Puffins go to? We thought about going to Farne but were told thart they left end of July latest. WHere do they go - Iceland? Further north? Greece?

Chris

Werecow · 14 Aug 2008

They spend the rest of the time out to sea. No contact with land at all i believe.

Tulipone said:
Where do the Puffins go to? We thought about going to Farne but were told thart they left end of July latest. WHere do they go - Iceland? Further north? Greece?

Chris

tarmac_chaser · 31 Aug 2008

They go to South America.

I was at Skomer yesterday, no Puffins there. The ranger said they've usually gone by mid July