More Puffins?

by: J. Sherman Boates
SUMMER/FALL 1992

Promotional and tourist information about Nova Scotia is often decorated with the familiar image of the Atlantic puffin. This colourful seabird with its "clown-like" appearance is a favourite of residents and visitors to "Canada's Ocean Playground." Few people realize that there are only about 70 pairs of puffins in the province, most of which are found on the Bird Islands, St. Arms, Cape Breton. About 10 pairs also nest on Pearl Island, Lunenburg County (Wildlife Management Area).

However, we have been excited by recent reports from fishing boats that there are more puffins around than in the past. In fact, in August two fishen-nen bird-watching around Noddy Island, Shelbume County, saw about 17 puffins, including two that were carrying food, presumably back to the nest to feed young.

Where are these puffins coming from? From Maine? This summer, scientists from the U.S. National Audobon Society surveyed Pearl Island. They were pleased to find a nesting puffin that was part of their initiative to reintroduce puffins to Maine in 1975-17 Years ago! The bird was taken from Newfoundland when it was six weeks old and was relocated to Egg Island, Maine. It has likely been nesting on Pearl Island for a number of years.

It is nice that we are seeing more puffins around our coast and interesting that we are sharing the benefits of the conservation efforts of the Audobon Society.