Annual census figures from Lunga in the Treshnish Isles have shown a record number of breeding Puffins on the island.

Initial reports from the Treshnish Isles Auk Ringing Group (TIARG) confirm that Lunga now has over 6400 occupied Puffin Burrows – a record number. That is to say there are nearly 13,000 breeding puffins.

Turus Mara crews have noticed Puffin burrows in many new places this year, and the Island has been bustling with activity since the birds came ashore earlier in the year – despite the fact that breeding patterns appeared to establish comparatively late, probably due to unsettled weather early on. Last year’s count showed just over 4700 burrows so the new figures are a considerable increase and an encouraging sign of the health of our local seas. The success of the seabird breeding season has been replicated in many other species as well, with increases in the numbers of Kittiwake, Razorbill, and Fulmars all reported.

A few species have not fared so well however, with a definite decrease in Shag numbers and a probable decrease in Common Guillemots, subject to the final report which will be released by TIARG in due course. It is worth noting that Shag numbers are known to be very changeable, with significant increases and decreases year by year.

Turus Mara support TIARG every year to carry out their important monitoring work and have done since the early days in the 1970s.