The RSPB’s ground-breaking Puffarazzi Project is back and needs help to find out more about one of the most-loved seabirds. In 2017, visitors to puffin colonies around the UK and Ireland were asked to join the puffarazzi by photographing these colourful seabirds with fish in their bills and now we’ve relaunched the project.
None of the photos submitted two years ago came from Northern Ireland so, with the project now re-launched, it’s a great opportunity for people to take pics at any of the key NI puffin sites (RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre and also The Gobbins and the Copeland Islands). Photos taken of puffins in the Republic of Ireland can also be submitted; in 2017, one image came from the Skelligs off the coast of County Kerry.
The project is now also asking for historical photos to be submitted to aid conservation efforts, so if you happened to take a picture of a puffin with a bill full of food in the last few years, submit it on the Project Puffin website.
All these images will help scientists learn more about what puffins are feeding their chicks, known as pufflings. With their colourful bills, distinctive eye markings and somewhat comical walk, puffins are a firm favourite for many people. Yet, these birds are in serious trouble with their numbers plummeting in former strongholds in the UK and the rest of Europe and the species is now classed as vulnerable to extinction. This project aims to find out the causes of these UK declines which may be related to a reduction in food availability caused by climate change.
In 2017, 602 people joined the Puffarazzi and sent in 1,402 photos from almost 40 colonies. The photos have helped scientists identify areas where puffins are struggling to find the large, nutritious fish needed to support their pufflings. They revealed variations around the UK with some areas having far smaller fish for the puffins to feed on.
Scientists are now looking to build on this knowledge with one big difference this time round – rather than just asking for current photos scientists also need snaps of puffins with fish in their bills from any year. Provided the year and place of the image is known it can be submitted; there’s even a way for pre-digital photos to be included. These will help scientists to track how puffin food sources have changed over time. Images can be submitted at the Project Puffin website.
Dr Kenny Bodles, RSPB NI Marine Conservation Officer, said: “We’re so excited that Puffarazzi is back. The response last time was overwhelming and it’s thanks to this success that we’ve expanded the project. We would love to get images submitted from any Northern Ireland sightings, most likely from the viewing platform from our Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre – even images taken through a telescope of puffins with fish in their bills – or from the Gobbins or the Copelands.
“Puffins are facing a bleak future and we want to change that, which is why we need to learn more about how puffin food stocks have changed over the years. We’re asking people to dig around in your photo albums and digital files and to send us any applicable photos you have, however old they are. However big or small the fish in the photo is it will be really useful for us. Anyone can join the Puffarazzi. Our project website has all the information on how to take part, while keeping yourself and the puffins safe.”
Guidance on the Puffarazzi website includes how to avoid disturbing puffins while photographing them such as avoiding spending more than a couple of minutes photographing a puffin carrying fish, keeping movements and noise to a minimum, not walking near or over puffin burrows, and keeping about five metres away from puffins at all times. There is also advice on how to stay safe while taking photos of puffins, what the images need to capture for the scientific information needed by the project, and the online form for submitting the photographs.
Traynor On The Trail 