The Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica breeds in large colonies on sea cliffs and offshore islands, nesting in burrows dug into grassy slopes. They depend heavily on small shoaling fish, especially sandeels, which are rich in energy and essential for raising chicks successfully. Combined with pressures such as climate change, warming seas and declining fish stocks, disease outbreaks add further strain to already vulnerable puffin populations. Conservationists now closely monitor colonies to track infection rates and long-term impacts on seabird numbers.
Holly Paget-Brown is a Shetland-based photographer who enjoys capturing the breadth of nature in the islands. She has an interest in all wild aspects of the isles from seascapes and aurora to orcas and nudibranchs.
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