Puffins exhausted by recent storms have been washing up along Cornwall’s south coast, with 14 found in February alone, compared to two in all of 2025 and 15 in 2024, according to Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Marine Strandings Network. The weakened — and in some cases dead — birds have been discovered across several beaches including the Roseland peninsula, Falmouth, Penzance, the Lizard and Porthleven.
Wildlife rehabilitator Jon Matthews said three puffins brought to him were extremely weak after being battered by storms and unable to feed. One died, but the other two — Pedro and Pickle — tested negative for bird flu and are now being hand-fed and kept warm while they regain weight.
Hannah Wilson of Marine Discovery Penzance said this is the highest number of strandings since the stormy year of 2014, when 90 were recorded. She explained that rough seas reduce water clarity, making it harder for puffins to hunt. Rescuers advise placing sick birds in a box while wearing gloves and contacting a vet, and reporting dead birds to authorities.