Counting Puffins on Puffin Island, Co. Kerry, Ireland 1981

Puffin Island off the Kerry Coast is a sanctuary for birds. How many and what species is unclear. A team of ornithologists have spent the last few weeks on Puffin Island off the coast of County Kerry carrying out a survey of birds that nest and breed on the rocky island. Áine O’Connor heads to the island accompanied by boatman Des Lavelle to find out about the work being undertaken. A tricky journey in rough weather she was in luck and was met by calm seas before a 200 foot climb up a steep edge. You’d need to be very fit for this ornithology lark. At base camp on the island expedition leader Hugh explains the purpose of the team’s research. We’re here really to find out all about the birds of the island. It has been a long time since any survey of birds has been carried out on any of the Kerry islands so nobody knows precisely how many or what species of birds there are on Puffin Island. The objective of their research is to establish the numbers of birds on the island and set up systems to monitor future changes in the population. It can be a challenging task to count puffins as numbers fluctuate a lot from one day to the next. So instead of counting the birds themselves, the team count the burrows in which they nest in a sample area. The plan is to return to the island year after year to count the burrows in the sample area and assess whether the number has gone up or down. Hugh explains the coloured beak of a puffin shows that the bird is preparing for the breeding season. During the summer, the puffin’s beak turns a bright yellow colour. They look so cuddly but they’re not at all. The project also involves the researchers netting the birds and placing a numbered ring on their legs. This catalogued record helps with tracing the navigation of the birds. ‘Summerhouse’ broadcast on 8 July 1981. The presenter is Áine O’Connor.