Andrew Blake 2012
"WRECK"
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release: 27 March 2013
Storms raise fears for popular seabird
Puffin deaths ‘worst in almost 50 years’
It’s feared the ongoing bad weather may be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of seabirds on the east coast of the UK from Aberdeenshire to North Yorkshire.
The RSPB has received many reports of puffins, as well as razorbills and guillemots washing up on beaches on the Yorkshire coast, at Bridlington, Filey and Scarborough and along Druridge Bay in Northumberland.
The conservation charity believes severe weather may have led to birds struggling to find food or succumbing to exhaustion, although the exact causes are currently unknown.
Keith Clarkson, of the RSPB said: “This may be the worst puffin ‘wreck’ we have seen for almost half a century. Despite their small stature puffins are fairly hardy birds, adept at coping with the harsh conditions of life at sea. So to hear that so many have been discovered dead is unusual and worrying.
“We are fast approaching the start of the seabird breeding season and tens of thousands of seabirds are returning to their colonies at Bempton Cliffs, Flamborough Head, Filey Cliffs and Coquet Island to raise their young. The recent events and poor body condition of the birds could have an impact on the success of this year’s puffin breeding season, a species already suffering population declines. The RSPB, with the help of volunteers, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas Centre will be closely monitoring the fortunes of this species and many other seabirds throughout the summer months.”
If you find any sick or injured seabirds on the beach please contact the RSPCA 0300 1234 999. If you find any dead birds seabirds can you email the details to the RSPB at Bempton.cliffs@rspb.org,uk
Ends
For more information, please contact
Keith Clarkson, RSPB Reserves Manager, 01262 851 533 / 07736 793450
Chris Collett, RSPB Communications Manager, 0191 233 4317
"WRECK"
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release: 27 March 2013
Storms raise fears for popular seabird
Puffin deaths ‘worst in almost 50 years’
It’s feared the ongoing bad weather may be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of seabirds on the east coast of the UK from Aberdeenshire to North Yorkshire.
The RSPB has received many reports of puffins, as well as razorbills and guillemots washing up on beaches on the Yorkshire coast, at Bridlington, Filey and Scarborough and along Druridge Bay in Northumberland.
The conservation charity believes severe weather may have led to birds struggling to find food or succumbing to exhaustion, although the exact causes are currently unknown.
Keith Clarkson, of the RSPB said: “This may be the worst puffin ‘wreck’ we have seen for almost half a century. Despite their small stature puffins are fairly hardy birds, adept at coping with the harsh conditions of life at sea. So to hear that so many have been discovered dead is unusual and worrying.
“We are fast approaching the start of the seabird breeding season and tens of thousands of seabirds are returning to their colonies at Bempton Cliffs, Flamborough Head, Filey Cliffs and Coquet Island to raise their young. The recent events and poor body condition of the birds could have an impact on the success of this year’s puffin breeding season, a species already suffering population declines. The RSPB, with the help of volunteers, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas Centre will be closely monitoring the fortunes of this species and many other seabirds throughout the summer months.”
If you find any sick or injured seabirds on the beach please contact the RSPCA 0300 1234 999. If you find any dead birds seabirds can you email the details to the RSPB at Bempton.cliffs@rspb.org,uk
Ends
For more information, please contact
Keith Clarkson, RSPB Reserves Manager, 01262 851 533 / 07736 793450
Chris Collett, RSPB Communications Manager, 0191 233 4317