Puffins Numbers High in Westman Islands

Puffin numbers have not been higher in the Westman Islands since record-keeping began in 2007, according to Iceland Review.

A total of 78% of puffin nests on the islands were occupied in a recent survey conducted by Náttúrustofa Suðurlands (The Nature Institute of South Iceland). While the high occupancy rate in the Westman Islands is good news for puffin lovers, Erpur Snær Hansen, doctor of biology and the institute’s director, warns it’s too early to celebrate, as it remains to be seen how successful the breeding season will be.

Over half of the world’s population of Atlantic puffins breeds in Iceland, or some 8-10 million birds. In 2018, BirdLife International declared the Atlantic puffin in danger of extinction.