Plans for Plemont to become new Puffins' Place

Wednesday 07 April 2021

A pair of puffins sculptured from willow could soon be making their new home in the Plemont Headlands.

The National Trust's proposed sculpture, which is currently being considered by the Planning Department, is part of an initiative to raise awareness of Jersey’s declining puffin population, and how the community can help restore it.

The models have been designed by Michelle Cain, the mind behind Waterworks Valley’s beloved Crapaud, which will be removed at some point this year as planned after naturally deteriorating. 

Pictured: The sculpture, designed by Michelle Cain, is to raise awareness of Jersey's declining puffin population.

Though this new sculpture is similarly envisaged to last two to three years without repairs, the metal framework has been designed so that willow can be added when required and a new sculpture can be constructed over the top. 

The construction would take around six weeks, with the Trust building it from 180kg of willow material, and the internal framework and footing constructed of various sizes of mild steel, which are completely removable once the project reaches its end.

In a document supporting its planning application, the Trust described how it considers “environmental art as a way to raise its own profile and to encourage islanders to learn more about some of Jersey’s wildlife.”

Illustrating the plight of Puffins in Jersey, they explained that the historic colony at Plemont had gone down from 250 to 350 pairs 100 years ago, to only “a handful” today.

Pictured: The National Trust want to put the new willow sculpture at Plemont Headlands, near where Jersey’s colony of Puffins comes in April.

However, they are remaining optimistic about the birds’ future, having discovered that the island’s small colony of between four to six pairs were still breeding. 

Explaining how the sculpture would aid awareness, the Trust pointed out that many still do not know how to act appropriately around puffin populations, with their officer noticing increasing numbers of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and leisure craft entering their sea bird protection zone. 

They said that, by placing them at the headlands, the willow puffins will “help address these issues in a positive and constructive way”, adding that “for a seabird protection area to be effective, it will need the support of everyone.”