70% of puffins could die out as vital fish stocks vanish

PUFFIN numbers around the coast are expected to decline by as much as 70 per cent in the next 40 years, conservationists warn.

But the RSPB is hoping to enlist members of the public to help the seabirds survive – by taking pictures of them eating fish. It is hoped experts will be able to identify what food the birds are catching and feeding chicks in different areas.

A Birdlife International report said puffin numbers were falling because of invasive species, pollution, food shortages caused by over- fishing and birds getting caught in fishing nets.

Puffins, pictured right, are classed as ‘vulnerable’ on the threatened species list by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In the last census in 2002 there were 580,000 in the UK. But the RSPB said European populations could fall by more than 70 per cent by 2065.

A 70 per cent decline would represent the loss of more than 400,000 UK puffins.

Ellie Owen, the RSPB conservation scientist leading Project Puffin, said taking pictures of their food ‘will allow us to better understand why some colonies are thriving while others struggle’. She added: ‘Now everyone can play a pivotal role helping to save UK puffins.’