About the Puffins at Lovund
The puffin colony at Lovund is the southernmost in Nordland county. Currently it holds approximately 150,000 individuals. 50 years ago, the population was estimated at 750,000 (Myrberget), but the decline in herring and sandeel populations led to a dramatic reduction in the puffin population. On Lundkommardagen in 2019 the puffins came in quantities we have not seen for several years. For us it was an experience that planted seeds of optimism. Is the puffin population on Lovund growing?
Puffins is a true seabirds and spend most of their time scatered across the Norwegian Sea. When winter loosens its grip, the birds are reminded that they must reproduce. They begin to move towards land, to the colony where they were born. At the beginning of April, we can observe the first birds in the sea outside of Lovund, and as the days go by the assembly of birds grows bigger and bigger. April 14th is the traditional date for when the birds settle in their nesting place Lundura: Flocks in the hundreds, in the thousands, take off from the sea and make their ritualistic flock-flights over the sea surface and gradually higher into the air. And then, as if on cue, they fly in towards Lundura. There is a rush of wingbeats, and the air above the scree is filled with birds. From the sea comes wave after wave of new flocks. Some birds settle, some inspect their nest. Most leave nests to be nests: they fly a few rounds over the scree before heading towards the sea again.
It's Lundkommardag on Lovund!
