On Wednesday I headed down to North Haven to help Dave, who has been catching and ringing puffin chicks over the last few days. Many of the 'pufflings' are ready to fledge, and some have already left, flying from the cliff tops, over St Bride's Bay and away for a winter far out in the Atlantic - exactly where and how they spend the long months before they return again in April is unknown. The catching method requires some skill, using a wire inserted deep into the long, twisting burrows to feel for and extract the chicks. The birds are not harmed, and are quickly ringed and returned to the safety of their homes.
The first chick here is quite young; still downy, and a couple of weeks or so from leaving the nest. He was the only chick I managed to catch! The second picture (below) is of a chick with well-developed plumage, resembling an adult in all but facial and beak colour and probably ready to fledge.
Some great photos on here Richard, the one of the puffins on the cliff top is especially colourful. Tried to phone but think your phone is broken... John sends congratulations on the news that some of your work will be published. I will look forward to reading the blog and learning the fate of the hatching birds, amazing that they just bounce down the rocks into the sea! Ruth x
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