One day a friend, suddenly catching me, asks me: “Hey, are we going to see the “Puffin” on the Skomer Island?”
WHO THE PUFFIN ARE
The puffin are part of the family of the alcids and live along the coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean and are present in Iceland, Norway, Ireland and United Kingdom. Its dimensions are very small, at most they reach 30 cm per 600 gr of weight. They have a dense waterproof plumage that keeps them warm during the cold season. Their neck, back and wings are black with white undersides and whitish feathers on the sides of the face. Their legs are opaque yellow during the colder winter months, changing to a bright orange during the breeding season. The puffins have wide and flat beaks, are large and triangular in shape, red, yellow and blue. Thanks to their bright colors they are called “sea parrots” or “sea clowns”. Their wings are very small and for flying they beat 400 times per minute and fly in the air up to 88 Km per hour, they are very skilled swimmers able to fish even at a depth of 60 meters. These birds live most of their life at sea, resting on the waves when they do not swim. In nature, these winged wonders live for about 20 years.
Skomer island
puffin
THE BREEDING OF THE PUFFIN
Atlantic puffins land on the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic to form breeding colonies every spring and summer. They often choose steep, rocky peaks to build their nests, which line up with feathers or grass. Using their beak and feet they are able to dig burrows in the ground that can be one meter deep. The females lay a single egg, and both parents incubate it in turn. When a chick hatches, its parents alternate feeding it carrying small fish to the nest until it becomes independent.
SKOMER ISLAND
And you’re like, “Where can we find them?” You can find them here, in one of the islands off the coast of Pembrokeshire, in South Wales. The island is only 3 km2. Consisting mostly of volcanic rocks and surrounded by shady coves, offshore rocks and sheltered bays. The nature reserve is managed by “The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales” and is open from April to October and access is only allowed to 250 people per day. All these restrictions are necessary to preserve the island’s fantastic fauna heritage It is therefore not possible to book in advance, therefore there is the very famous law of “first come, first stay!”. My friend, my inseparable camera and I arrived here at the Lockley Lodge on a beautiful day in July, around 6.30 and, just think, there were already about fifty people in front of us!
puffin detail
puffin
THE WICK
…NOT JUST PUFFIN
LOGISTICS
ADDRESS: Lockley Lodge is located in Martin’s Haven, near Marloes in Pembrokeshire SA62 3BJ
WHEN TO GO: the island is open from April to October
HOW TO GET THERE:
- By car: B4327 from Haverfordwest to Dale. After Mullock Bridge (near Dale) take right hand turn signposted Marloes and Skomer Embarkation. Follow road through Marloes to Martin’s Haven car park.
- by train: Stations at Haverfordwest (12 miles/19km), Milford Haven (9 miles/14.5km) and Pembroke Dock (13 miles/21km)
- by bus: Service 400 Puffin Shuttle, from St David’s to Marloes Haven
TICKETS:
- The daily tickets are purchased directly at the Lockley Lodge at a cost of 11 £ opens every day at 8 am, access is limited to 250 people per day so I recommend arriving very early in the morning.
- the departure, by boat, is from Martins Haven, at a cost of £11, to be paid directly on the boat. In peak season there are three times available. Since the trip lasts only about 15 min, even if you suffer from seasickness, I assure you it is worth it!
WHERE TO SLEEP: for those who want to spend the night on the island, there is also a hostel, but be careful, because it has only 16 places, so I recommend you to book in time. There is also an equipped kitchen in the hostel, but there is no Wi-Fi. For info: islands@welshwildlife.org
TIPS:
- bring cash, as there are no Atms on the island and it is not possible to pay transport with cards
- food and water since there are no refreshments
- recommended clothing: comfortable shoes and trekking clothing, a jacket in case of rain
Related article: Grey Seals of Norfolk
Sheila Beverly
Last summer I and granddaughter were walking in a park in Middletown De. A bird was in grass making very loud noises. We walked up to it. At first we thought it was hurt because it was sitting on belly. It because gliding in grass but didn’t fly away. We always take bread with us. It would pick it up and drop in different spots. It did fly over across the street like 3 times and came right back. All of a sudden this bird started during tricks on the ground. It did flips and glilded are. It looked pat duck. We went back 3 evening and it was bck. We named it Walter.. We have looked in a few books and talked about this amazing bird looking and the tricks it done for us. It was a puffin. I have a video of it
Sheila Beverly
How did this puffin get to United States in the state of Delaware? We still talk about this entertaining bird. I am 62 yrs old and love birds. I have never seen such a smart colorful bird before. Maybe one day with luck we can travel to Skomer Island to see many of them together. There is like 3 man-made water ways in area but not a lot of water. Where did this Puffin come from. It was like once in a lifetime thing for us to see in the city.. Such a delightful day for us. I still look at my phone video which is not that clear but it’s a part of me and grandchild’s memory… It will stay in our hearts forever…