Jersey’s giant puffins have spent three years being battered by winter storms… but it turns out the weather isn’t the only thing taking its toll.
Some “cheeky” local birds have apparently been pinching strands of willow from the much-loved Plémont sculptures to build their own nests… and now the supersized seabirds are about to disappear from the headland for a while.
The National Trust for Jersey has announced that the Willow Puffins will be tucked away behind protective scaffolding from next week while they undergo a major restoration.
And their temporary disappearance happens to mirror the behaviour of their real-life counterparts, which leave Jersey’s shores at this time of year to moult their flight feathers at sea.
“Just like real Puffins, who disappear from our shores at this time of year to moult their flight feathers out at sea, our Willow Puffins are about to disappear for a few weeks too,” the Trust said.
TIMELINE…
The work will start by stripping the willow this coming Monday 17 August.
On Friday (21 August), the blacksmith will start 3-5 days treating the metal endoskeletons – something that the public has never seen before, as they were built in a shed. That day, the artist will start painting the mural.
The first public workshop will take place the following week.
Winter storms have taken their toll on the sculptures over the past three years, while the Trust revealed that “local birds have even helped themselves to strands to build their nests”.
Ironmonger Nathan Twomey will prepare the metal “endoskeleton” before artists Michelle Cain and Alcindo Pinto carefully restore the willow exterior, giving the pair some much-needed “TLC” and “brand-new plumage”.
Meanwhile, artist James Carter will transform the protective scaffolding into an artwork of its own.
Islanders will also be invited to get involved through a series of workshops with the artist to create a giant mural celebrating Jersey’s seabirds and wildlife on the Plémont headland.
Speaking further about the plans, Marketing and Events Manager for the National Trust Jersey, Sophie Gorman, told Express: “In the last year, the damage has been caused by exceptionally strong seasonal storms. This means that we need to fully restore the puffins.”
Ms Gorman added that the National Trust of Jersey is renovating the puffins as they “are such an iconic landmark now and they are so well loved.”
“We want to make sure that they have a long future up on the west-coast,” she continued.
“We know how much they mean to the local community and of course visitors alike. They’re championing our beautiful puffins as well, that the National Trust are always trying to protect.
“We want the whole community to feel part of this and to celebrate our precious seabirds and Jersey’s wildlife. We encourage everyone to come down and if anyone wants to support the repairs and the restoration works, we’d be very grateful.”
