Iceland Puffins | National Geographic

Summary

In Iceland, a heartwarming tradition sees local children rescue baby puffins, known as 'couplings,' from the streets of Jemez town. Lured by lights, these fledglings often crash-land, prompting nightly patrols to save them. The next day, with proper technique, the puffins are released to the sea, an act that sustains the thriving Atlantic puffin colonies, numbering eight to ten million, with the help of strong arms and big hearts.

Takeaways

• 🐧 Young Icelanders rescue orphaned puffin fledglings as a community effort.
• 🌊 The tradition of releasing puffins into the sea is a significant local custom in Jemez, Iceland.
• 🏙️ Lights from the town confuse young puffins, causing them to fly into town instead of the sea.
• 🔦 Puffin patrols search for and rescue these disoriented birds using flashlights, especially near the pier.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families and children participate in the puffin rescue missions during the month of August.
• 📦 The rescued puffins are temporarily housed in cardboard boxes until they can be released.
• 🌅 The next day, the puffins are taken to the seashore where they are released using a specific technique.
• 🤔 The script raises a question about the overall impact of this practice on the puffin species.
• 🌳 Iceland is home to the world's largest Atlantic puffin colonies, with a population of 8 to 10 million.
• 💪 The puffins are thriving, thanks to the assistance from the local community with strong arms and big hearts.
• 🎥 The script is accompanied by music, suggesting a documentary or video format that tells this story.

Q & A

What is the mission of the two youngsters on the rocky beach in Iceland?

The two youngsters are on a mission of mercy to save orphaned puffin fledglings, known as 'couplings,' by rescuing them from the streets of town and releasing them to the sea.

Why do the local children of Jemez save young puffins?

The children of Jemez have been saving young puffins for generations, as it has become a local tradition to release them to the safety of the sea at the end of the summer.

What is the problem faced by the public when the puffin fledglings are old enough to leave their burrows?

The problem is that the fledglings are attracted by the lights of the town instead of flying out to sea, causing them to crash land on the streets.

What is the role of the 'puffin patrols' in the town?

The puffin patrols, consisting of moms, dads, and children, search for the wayward puffin fledglings each night during August, rescuing them from the streets and the lights that disorient them.

Where do the puffin patrols search for the disoriented fledglings?

They search near buildings, streetlights, and particularly the pier, which is a popular place for the fledglings to end up.

What happens to the rescued puffin fledglings overnight?

The rescued fledglings are brought in off the streets for the night, ensuring their safety until they can be released the following day.

How are the rescued puffin fledglings transported to the seashore the next day?

All the birds that landed in friendly hands are transported to the seashore, where they are pointed in the right direction and given their flying orders.

What is the proper technique for releasing the puffin fledglings?

The proper technique involves a proper grip and then releasing the wings to flap, throwing the bird like a quarterback making a short pass.

What is the impact of this tradition on the puffin species as a whole?

The tradition seems to have a positive impact, as the world's largest Atlantic puffin colonies are found in Iceland, containing eight to ten million birds that are still flourishing.

How many puffin colonies are there in Iceland, and what is their status?

Iceland is home to the world's largest Atlantic puffin colonies, with an estimated eight to ten million birds, indicating that they are thriving.

What emotions do the children experience during the puffin rescue and release process?

The children find the process very exciting and nerve-wracking, as they get to throw live birds into the air and watch them fly away.