Record Puffin Count on Skomer Island for Second Year in a Row

Skomer Island, situated off the coast of Pembrokeshire in south-west Wales, has once again recorded an unprecedented number of puffins. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) announced that 52,019 puffins were observed this year, surpassing the previous record by 8,000 individuals. This achievement, noted as a “very pleasant surprise,” comes after a year marked by unexpected challenges for seabirds.

About Skomer Island

The island spans 1.13 square miles and is internationally recognized for its rich seabird habitats. Its remote location, just under a mile from the mainland, offers a safe haven for birds, shielding them from both predators and human disturbance. Alongside puffins, Skomer is home to 350,000 breeding pairs of manx shearwaters, along with thousands of guillemots and razorbills.

Monitoring the Population

Each year, the WTSWW conducts a meticulous survey to track the return of seabirds during the spring breeding season. The team divides the island into seven sections, working swiftly against time and weather conditions to ensure every puffin is accounted for. The timing is crucial—too early, and birds haven’t returned; too late, and they’re already nesting.

“After the tragic number of seabirds washing up on beaches across southern Europe earlier this year… it’s a very pleasant surprise to see the puffin population thriving.”

The same counting technique has been employed since the 1980s, allowing researchers to analyze over four decades of data. This year’s total of 52,019 puffins eclipsed the prior high of 43,626 set in 2025. Beyond puffins, the Skomer team also surveys other species, including guillemots, eazorbills, kittiwakes, and fulmars, while keeping tabs on manx shearwaters, reptiles, marine mammals, and the rare Skomer vole.

Challenges and Conservation

Seabirds face mounting risks from pollution, invasive species, bird flu, and developments in offshore energy. Despite these threats, puffins remain one of the fastest declining bird families globally. Leighton Newman, the Skomer Island Warden, highlighted the importance of long-term monitoring: “Puffin numbers are declining at many sites around the UK, but Skomer bucks the trend—thanks to our ongoing work, we can detect these changes early.”

Skomer’s unique ecosystem is maintained by seasonal staff from the WTSWW, who reside there for nearly nine months annually. The island lacks permanent residents and has no shops, requiring visitors to bring their own provisions. Limited overnight stays are available through the trust’s hostel, with boat access operating frequently from April to August and less so in September.

Boat trips to the island run every 30 minutes between 10:00 and 12:00 BST during the peak season, with return journeys starting at 15:00. On Fridays in September, day trips are unavailable, reflecting fluctuating demand. This year’s success underscores the importance of sustained conservation efforts to safeguard these vital species.