THEY GROW UP SO FAST
The upcoming days will be our last couple of days visiting Lundey (Puffin Island) as part of our GG2 Big Whale Safari and Puffins tour aboard our RIB speedboats.
The little puffin chicks, or pufflings, have grown big and strong enough to start their own journey.
Soon, they’ll follow their parents’ path out into the open ocean, where they’ll spend the next few years before eventually returning to their colony and birthplace.
And this is where their story differs from that of their parents, who will of course return next spring for yet another nesting season. As puffins don’t reach maturity until they’re around 4–5 years old, these young birds won’t return for next year’s nesting season. Instead, they’ll remain out at sea for a little while longer.
Eventually, the juvenile birds do make their way back to their birthplace and can sometimes be spotted around the colony in late summer, floating on the water surrounding the island. If you pay close attention, you might even recognise them: they’re usually darker and greyer than the adults, with much less colourful beaks.
But as they mature, they’ll gradually grow into the beautiful adults we know and love, find a lifelong mate, and eventually return year after year to the place where they were born to raise their own pufflings.
So, if you’re joining us in the coming days, keep your eyes on the water around Lundey. You might just be lucky enough to meet one of this year’s young adventurers before they head out to sea.
Don’t miss your last chance to see these adorable birds before they leave their summer homes behind!
Text & Photos: Sarah (captain/head guide)
