This year's puffin count of 52,019 represents an increase of approximately 8,000 birds compared to the previous record of 43,626 set in 2025, according to reports. Skomer Island, spanning 1.13 square miles (2.92 square kilometers), is located less than a mile from the Pembrokeshire coast and is internationally recognized for its seabird importance, sources say. Its isolation helps protect birds from predators and human disturbance, contributing to its ecological significance, per reports. Skomer Island is home to an estimated 350,000 breeding pairs of manx shearwaters, along with thousands of guillemots and razorbills, making it a vital habitat for multiple species, according to sources.
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales undertakes its annual seabird count on Skomer Island to monitor the population of birds that return every spring to breed, reports indicate. The same counting method has been used since the 1980s, allowing for comparison of over 40 years of puffin population data, sources say. Wardens, assisted by volunteers and researchers, conduct boat-based surveys to record guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and fulmars breeding on the cliffs around the island, according to reports. In addition to puffins, wardens monitor manx shearwaters, reptiles, marine mammals, and the endemic Skomer vole, providing a comprehensive overview of the island's wildlife, per sources.
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.
Despite the positive trend on Skomer Island, seabirds globally face significant threats, including pollution, invasive predators, bird flu, and offshore renewable development, reports say. Puffins are one of the fastest declining families of birds across many regions, highlighting the contrast with Skomer's success, according to sources. Leighton Newman, Skomer Island Warden for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, noted that 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. He added that puffin numbers are declining at many sites around the UK, but Skomer bucks the trend – and it's thanks to long-term monitoring work that we know this. Newman also emphasized that it's special that Skomer is a refuge for so many seabirds and it's a privilege to be able to work to protect them, but we want to see seabird populations thriving across the UK.
The exact factors contributing to the increase in puffin numbers on Skomer Island this year remain unclear, as do specific comparisons with trends for other seabird species monitored there. Additionally, the precise dates or time period for this year's puffin count have not been detailed. Conservation measures on Skomer Island that might explain its success compared to other UK sites are not specified, nor are the specific impacts of threats like pollution, predators, bird flu, and offshore development on puffins in this location. These unknowns underscore the complexity of seabird conservation efforts.
Puffin numbers are declining at many sites around the UK, but Skomer bucks the trend – and it's thanks to long-term monitoring work that we know this.
It's special that Skomer is a refuge for so many seabirds and it's a privilege to be able to work to protect them, but we want to see seabird populations thriving across the UK.