Dead puffins washing up on Cornish beaches amid stormy weather
An unusually high number of dead, exhausted, or starving puffins have been washing up on beaches across Cornwall, with recent severe storms likely playing a major role.
Some local experts also point to climate change as a contributing factor.
Rebecca Allen, a wildlife expert, said:
"There's certainly probably a link to climate change because one of the predicted changes is increased storminess and increased wetness."
"We've had two very severe events in just over 10 years of each other, which is unusual."
She added that puffins are facing multiple pressures:
"These birds are also under threats from other things."
"Just before the 2014 event, there was a pollution incident off Cornwall that killed lots of seabirds."
"And then avian flu hit colonies only a few years ago."
"They're being hit on many fronts, including general pollution, bycatch, and disturbance. So yes, it's quite likely linked to climate change."
Veterinarians in Falmouth have already treated several injured seabirds found by members of the public following Storm Chandra, which came after Storms Goretti and Ingrid.
The Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) has urged the public to take care when handling live or dead wildlife.
Live puffins in distress should be taken to a local vet or the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre on 0300 123 0721.
Dead birds should be reported to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network hotline at 0345 201 2626 (or for Devon: 07719 086531).
For marine mammals, live animals in distress should be reported to British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546, while strandings in the rest of England can be reported to the Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme on 0800 652 0333.
The CWT has warned that the trend of puffins dying or becoming severely unwell due to stormy weather appears to be continuing, with further monitoring planned along the Cornish coastline.