Puffin Protectors

Atlantic puffins live across the North Atlantic Ocean. The pigeon-sized birds spend most of their lives at sea. In the spring, the birds come to land to breed. 

About 600,000 puffins nest in underground holes on four islands in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve (see Puffin Homes). This protected area is home to North America’s largest Atlantic puffin colony.

“When the pufflings hatch, they’re like puffballs,” says Suzanne Dooley. She works at the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, which runs the Puffin Patrol. After about 50 days, the pufflings leave their nests at night in August and early September. They use the light from the moon and stars to guide them to the ocean. 

But some pufflings get lost. The problem is light pollution from nearby towns. “The lights attract the pufflings,” says Sabina Wilhelm. She’s a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service. “It’s their first time outside of the nest, so they easily get confused.”

The lights from the towns can confuse pufflings on cloudy or foggy nights when the moon and stars are hidden. Some birds fly into the towns and get stranded. Many are killed by cars or cats. 

The Puffin Patrol brings the pufflings to scientists. They make sure the birds are healthy. Volunteers help the scientists release the birds at sea.

Light pollution affects many animals, like turtles, frogs, and bats. There are ways to help solve the problem. One way is to turn off lights you’re not using. 

Addison joined the Puffin Patrol eight years ago. Since then, she’s saved more than 50 pufflings! She also helps by using less lighting at home. 

The day after finding the puffling in August 2019, Addison helped Dooley release it on a beach. “I feel better knowing it’s safe now,” she says.