Only four Atlantic puffins returned to Dancing Ledge in Dorset this March. No fledglings have been raised at the colony in three years. As puffin season 2026 begins across the North Atlantic, some colonies are thriving while others are fighting to survive.
Here is what is happening, where the birds are doing well, and what you can do if you care about these places.
Why Are Puffin Numbers Falling at Some Colonies?
Warmer sea temperatures are pushing sand eels, the puffins' primary food source, further north. Southern breeding colonies like Purbeck in Dorset are left without reliable food during the nesting season. The National Trust installed high-tech cameras at Dancing Ledge on March 20, 2026 to investigate the decline (Swanage News).
Five weeks of sustained storms battered the North Atlantic this winter. Researchers on the Isle of May found ringed puffins washed up on beaches as far south as France (Isle of May NNR). The birds that survive the open ocean still face shrinking food supplies closer to shore.
Where Are Puffin Colonies Thriving in 2026?
Not all colonies are struggling. The strongest populations are near cold, nutrient-rich waters with reliable sand eel and herring stocks:
Photo by teyi 徐 via Pexels
- Westman Islands, Iceland: home to the largest Atlantic puffin colony on earth, with numbers stabilised after a difficult decade
- Runde, Norway: continues to attract strong breeding populations each spring
- Skomer Island, Wales: reported solid returns last season with consistent food supply
- Farne Islands, Northumberland: one of the most accessible UK colonies, closely monitored by the National Trust
How Can You Help Protect Puffin Colonies?
If you care about these birds and the coastlines they depend on, here are three things you can do:
- Visit responsibly: choose operators and destinations that contribute to monitoring and habitat protection. Stay on marked paths near nesting sites.
- Support conservation organisations: the RSPB, Scottish Seabird Centre, and local wildlife trusts all run volunteer programmes at colony sites.
- Share what you see: the more people who understand these birds and the pressures they face, the stronger the case for protecting the coastlines they depend on.
At AukCliff, puffins are central to everything we create. Stephen Milner, founder of AukCliff, built the brand around the character and resilience of these birds. If you want to carry that connection with you, explore the Captain Puffin collection, or check out the Coastal Waves tee for something inspired by the coastlines these colonies call home.
FAQ
When is puffin season in 2026?
Atlantic puffins return to breeding colonies from April through August, with peak activity in May and June. Southern colonies like Skomer may see early arrivals in late March.
Photo by Tomáš Malík via Pexels
Why are puffin numbers declining in some areas?
The primary driver is food supply. Warmer sea temperatures push sand eels further north, leaving southern breeding colonies without reliable food during nesting season. Severe winter storms also take a toll on birds at sea.
Where is the best place to see puffins in 2026?
The Westman Islands in Iceland host the largest colony. In the UK, Skomer Island (Wales), the Isle of May (Scotland), and the Farne Islands (Northumberland) are the most accessible. Runde in Norway is another strong option. See our full puffin destinations guide for details.
Last updated: March 2026
