A dead puffi lies motionless on a dark, pebbled shoreline near the edge of the sea. The bird’s body is positioned on its side with its head resting against the sand. Gentle waves roll onto the beach in the background, and scattered seaweed, stones, and driftwood pieces are visible along the shore under an overcast sky.

People across the Bailiwick have been asked to report dead or injured seabirds they find, after a series of brutal storms.

As many as 10,000 dead seabirds are believed to have washed up on the French and Spanish shores recently – and many are now appearing in the Channel Islands since a change of wind direction.

A spokesperson for the States of Guernsey said puffins were “particularly affected as they need clear water to find food”.

“Rough seas, caused by storms make it difficult for them to find enough food to survive,” they added.

A dead gull lies motionless on a flat, sandy shoreline with its body resting on one side. The bird has light grey and white plumage and an orange beak that touches the ground. The landscape around it is open and expansive, with a wide stretch of sand extending toward a distant, low horizon beneath a pale sky.
Pictured: Dead or injured birds should be reported (stock image).

Anyone in Guernsey who finds an injured bird should contact the GSPCA, while dead birds should be reported to the Ornithology Section of La Societe Guernesiaise.

Alderney residents should contact Alderney Animal Welfare Society in both cases and people in Sark should speak to La Société Sercquaise.

Rescued puffin

The GSPCA is currently caring for a rescued puffin, which staff have since named Percival.

Percival was “weak, cold and covered in oil” when he was rescued from Port Grat beach on Tuesday, GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said.

A small, injured puffin with black and white plumage rests on a soft, padded surface inside what appears to be a rehabilitation or medical enclosure. The bird is positioned upright with its body settled into the bedding, and its orange-tipped beak points forward. Light blue absorbent pads surround the bird, and part of a folded blanket is visible at the bottom edge of the image.
Pictured: Percival the puffin was “weak, cold and covered in oil” when he was rescued from Port Grat beach on Tuesday. (GSPCA)

He was “unable to fly, swim or feed properly” because of the oil on his feathers.

Percival was “one of the few survivors of a worrying and widespread incident affecting coastal wildlife”, Mr Byrne said.

“Rough weather exhausts many species of seabirds and makes feeding incredibly difficult,” he added.

How to report a dead bird

Anyone spotting a dead bird should record the following information, where it’s safe to do so:

  • The location using What3Words or a Google Maps pin (except for Sark where just the
    beach name is needed)
  • A photo of the whole bird
  • A photo of the bird’s beak (to help determine the species and age)
  • The number on the ring on a bird’s leg (if it has one)

People are reminded not to touch birds with their bare hands as they may carry diseases, and not to disturb uninjured birds or nests.