Published: Thursday, 6th August, 2009 8:00am

Wandering pufflings proof of rising numbers

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FOUR wayward pufflings found stumbling along High Street and loitering outside a chip shop have all been returned to the wild by Scottish Seabird Centre staff.

Local puffin numbers are thought to be on the increase following the clearance of the once-abundant tree-mallow plant from Craigleith Island and the rise in numbers of sand eels, the puffins' favourite food, on May Island.

Lynda Dalgleish, marketing manager of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said the increase in wandering pufflings on the mainland was evidence of a more robust population inhabiting islands off North Berwick.

"Craigleith had been one of the biggest puffin colonies in Scotland, with 28,000 pairs in the 1990s," said Mrs Dalgleish. "But as a result of climate change, tree-mallow thrived on the island - growing up to nine feet high - making it very difficult for returning puffins to find their burrows.

"But now the numbers are definitely back up and that's bound to have a direct effect on the number of lost pufflings that are brought in to us."

Lynda added that it was not uncommon for pufflings to become disoriented and lose their way.

"If you should spot a lost puffling, please either call us on 01620 890202 and we'll come and get it or bring it into the Seabird Centre. We will then take the young puffins out to release them at sea."

The Firth of Forth is home to internationally important seabird colonies and hosts thousands of breeding puffins from April until August.