News

Skomer puffin count breaks record with 52,019 birds

Published

2 months ago

April 22, 2026

THE WILDLIFE TRUST OF SOUTH AND WEST WALES has announced a record-breaking year for puffins on Skomer Island, with 52,019 birds counted during this year’s survey.

The new figure smashes the previous record of 43,626, which was set in 2025, and marks another major boost for one of Pembrokeshire’s most important wildlife sites.

Skomer, off the Pembrokeshire coast, is internationally recognised for its seabird colonies. Each spring, staff from the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales carry out the annual puffin count to monitor the breeding population returning to the island.

Leighton Newman, Skomer Island Warden for the trust, said: “After the tragic number of seabirds washing up on beaches across southern Europe earlier this year, we weren’t expecting a count this high this season. It’s a very pleasant surprise to see the puffin population thriving.”

Counting puffins may sound straightforward, but with more than 50,000 birds involved it is a demanding task. Each spring, the Skomer team heads out on a calm, clear evening armed with binoculars and notepads to count every puffin on land, at sea and in the air.

The island is divided into seven sections, with wardens working carefully against the light and the weather to ensure no area is missed. Timing is crucial. If the count is carried out too early, many birds may not yet have returned. Too late, and many will already be tucked away in burrows incubating eggs.

The trust said the same counting method has been used since the 1980s, allowing more than four decades of puffin population data to be compared consistently.

Monitoring on Skomer goes far beyond puffins. Every summer, the team also carries out boat-based surveys of guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars breeding on the island’s cliffs. Volunteers and researchers also help monitor manx shearwaters, reptiles, marine mammals and the island’s unique Skomer vole.

The trust said long-term monitoring is vital for understanding how seabird populations are changing and for spotting problems early.

Seabirds face a growing number of threats, both at sea and on land, including pollution, invasive predators, avian influenza and offshore renewable development. Globally, seabirds are among the fastest-declining bird groups.

Mr Newman added: “Puffin numbers are declining at many sites around the UK, but Skomer bucks the trend – and it’s thanks to long-term monitoring work that we know this. It’s special that Skomer is a refuge for so many seabirds and it’s a privilege to be able to work to protect them, but we want to see seabird populations thriving across the UK.”

The trust believes the rise in puffin numbers on Skomer is likely linked to good food availability in the wider area, providing plenty of fish for chicks and helping deliver strong breeding success. Good adult survival over winter, along with the absence of rats and other predators on the island, is also thought to have played an important part.

The annual counts are submitted to a national dataset used by decision-makers to help shape seabird conservation strategies in the UK and beyond. The data is also made available to academics to support further research.

This year, the charity is urging wildlife lovers to back its Big Give appeal, which runs from April 22 to April 29, with a target of raising £40,000 to support vital seabird monitoring work on Skomer.

Charity

New Welsh Government urged to keep animal welfare high on agenda

Published

2 minutes ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RSPCA CYMRU has called on the new Welsh Government to ensure animal welfare remains a political priority during the next Senedd term.

The charity has written an open letter to Llyr Gruffydd MS, the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, urging ministers to deliver animal welfare commitments made in Plaid Cymru’s manifesto.

Those pledges included promoting responsible pet ownership and breeding, licensing animal rescues, and strengthening the rights of renters who wish to keep pets.

RSPCA Cymru says Wales has already made progress, including bans on snares and glue traps, mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, legislation to ban greyhound racing, and moves towards regulating animal sanctuaries, rescues and rehoming centres.

Its Animal Kindness Index found that 75% of people in Wales describe themselves as animal lovers, the highest proportion in the UK. The same survey found that 85% of people in Wales believe animal welfare should be protected through legislation.

Billie-Jade Thomas, RSPCA Cymru’s Senior Public Affairs Manager said: “It’s clear that Wales is a nation of animal lovers and that animal welfare is important to so many people.

“We really do have the opportunity to make huge progress in our animal welfare standards in Wales under the new Welsh Government and we look forward to working with them to ensure every kind of animal in Wales has a good life.

“That starts with those at the helm of the new Welsh Government delivering on their manifesto commitments for animals.”

The charity is also calling for ministers to go further, including granting RSPCA inspectors limited statutory powers, making pet abduction a specific offence in Wales, regulating livery yards, tackling horse tethering, improving farm animal welfare, and introducing mandatory labelling on animal-derived products.

One of the more politically sensitive areas is bovine TB. The RSPCA says it supports efforts to eradicate the disease but wants a humane approach that does not involve badger culling.

Farming unions have previously argued that bovine TB has had a devastating impact on Welsh farms, with cattle slaughtered, businesses disrupted and families placed under serious financial pressure. They have called for a stronger eradication strategy and say any policy must be based on evidence and the practical realities facing farmers.

The issue is likely to remain one of the most difficult areas for the new minister, as animal welfare campaigners, farmers, vets and conservation groups continue to press for different approaches.

RSPCA Cymru is urging supporters to sign its open letter and says animal welfare must not be allowed to slip down the political agenda.

The charity is also encouraging people to take part in its Summer of Kindness campaign, which promotes simple, family-friendly ways to help animals.

Charity

Cardigan RNLI to host sea shanty and street food festival

Published

4 minutes ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CARDIGAN RNLI is inviting the community to enjoy an evening of music, food and fundraising at its fourth annual Sea Shanty and Street Food Festival.

The event will take place at Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station on Saturday, June 20, from 3:00pm to 9:00pm.

Organisers say the family-friendly festival will feature live music throughout the afternoon and evening, with performances from Cariad Sound, The Bad Latitudes Shanty Group, Howni Shanty Group and Blaenporth Male Voice Choir.

A wide range of food and drink will also be available from local vendors, including Manuka Asian Street Food, Dewi James BBQ, Pembrokeshire Wood Fired Pizza, Ice Green Vegan Ice Cream, Los Muñecos Mexican Street Food, Bluestones Coffee, Mantle Brewery and Cream Tea.

Tickets cost £5, with all proceeds going towards supporting Cardigan RNLI’s lifesaving work.

Bruce Harris, event organiser said: “Our Sea Shanty and Street Food Festival is a fantastic way to bring the community together while supporting the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

“There’s something for everyone, great music, brilliant local food and a wonderful atmosphere by the water.

“Every ticket sold helps our volunteer crew continue to save lives at sea, so we’re really looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible for a great evening in support of Cardigan Lifeboat Station.”