ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Biology

Puffins in trouble as numbers dwindle

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
January 10, 2010 - Updated on October 28, 2013
in Biology, Climate, Environment
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Challenging the “Out of Africa” theory, one tooth at a time
Climate change and ozone layer holes form feedback loop, reports international panel
Ancient DNA reveals two previously unknown migrations into South America
European countries announce new $500 million initiative to fight climate change in developing countries

puffings

Where do birds go in the winter? That’s a question many of us asked, as kids. Well puffins are currently suffering from an increase in winter mortality, which is probably caused by the worsening of conditions in the North Sea. Using geolocation technology, this study tracked puffins and found that the population decreased by 30% in the last years. The study was led by Professor Mike Harris, Emeritus Research Fellow at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, who has studied puffins (among others) for 37 years.

Professor Harris: “Modern technology has come to the aid of the puffin just when it was needed. The quarter of a million puffins that breed in northeast Britain head out to sea during the winter and we previously thought that they stayed in the North Sea. We now know that some make long trips into the Atlantic during winter. This is vital new knowledge which should help us explain recent declines in puffin numbers.”

From about 1960 to 2000, puffin population has increased its numbers surrounding Great Britain, but began rapidly decreasing after 2003. The past winter had an unprecedented mortality as the North Sea became less and less favorable for them, and they have been forced to travel longer distances and adapt to different habitats.

Tags: BiologybirdsClimategeolocationmigrationnorth seapuffingsResearchstudy

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Biology

AI Could Help You Build a Virus. OpenAI Knows It — and It’s Worried

byMihai Andrei
1 week ago
Animals

Why Do Some Birds Sing More at Dawn? It’s More About Social Behavior Than The Environment

byTibi Puiu
2 weeks ago
News

The Best Archaeopteryx Fossil Ever Found Just Showed It Could Fly

byTibi Puiu
2 months ago
Science

Climate Change Is Breaking the Insurance Industry

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago

Recent news

SNR 0509-67.5

Astronomers Found a Star That Exploded Twice Before Dying

July 3, 2025

This Enzyme-Infused Concrete Could Turn Buildings into CO2 Sponges

July 3, 2025

Buried in a Pot, Preserved by Time: Ancient Egyptian Skeleton Yields First Full Genome

July 3, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.