British wildlife recordings

Fratercula arctica : Puffin - Alcidae

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    00:02:19

  • Shelf mark

    W1CDR0001424 BD8

  • Subjects

    Birds

  • Recording date

    1965/06/11

  • Recording locations

    Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire: OS Grid Reference(172500,209500)

  • Recordist

    Shove, Lawrence

  • Species

    Puffin, Fratercula arctica

  • Description

    Calls and splashing sounds made by a small group of puffins on Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire. These short stocky seabirds are one of the most recognisable birds in the world with their black and white markings, orange legs and brightly coloured bills. Puffins come in from the sea during spring and form large breeding colonies on offshore islands and high clifftops out of the reach of most predators. Preferring sandeels as their main food source, these small birds have been known to carry over 60 individuals in their beaks. Not a particularly vocal bird, they do emit a growl-like call which sounds like laughter when repeated. The majority of puffin colonies occur at only a few locations in the British Isles and their success is highly dependable on the presence of sufficient fish stocks.

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