Channel Islanders asked to report injured or dead seabirds

Friday, 20 February 2026 07:05

People in Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark are being asked to report any injured or dead seabirds they see on the beaches.

Recently, as many as 10,000 dead seabirds have washed up on the shores of France and Spain.

And now, with a change in the wind direction, some birds have begun washing up on the coastlines of the Channel Islands. A dead puffin was found at Greve D'Azette in Jersey last week.

Naturalists say the recent storms have made it difficult for them find enough food to survive.

The States advise islanders who find a dead or injured bird not to touch it, but to report it to one of the organisations at the bottom of the article.

Meanwhile, the Guernsey's Animals' Shelter has taken “Percival” the Puffin into its care.

He was discovered weak, cold and covered in oil at Port Grat beach on Tuesday (17 February).

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne says the puffin is 'incredibly fortunate' to have been found alive.

"With so many seabirds washing up across our shores and neighbouring coasts, every live rescue matters.

"If anyone finds a sick, injured or oiled seabird, keep a safe distance, contain the bird if it is safe to do so, and call the GSPCA immediately.

"Oil is extremely dangerous, and without specialist care, many birds will not survive.”

He says in 2014 the Channel Islands experienced a similar seabird “wreck".

Severe storms exhaust seabirds, making feeding difficult, and settled oil or pollutants on the seabed are disturbed and stick to their feathers.

If an injured bird is found, please contact the relevant local organisation:
- Jersey: JSPCA Animals’ Shelter - 01534 724331 (daytime) or 07797 720331 (out of hours)
- Guernsey: GSPCA - 01481 257261
- Alderney: Alderney Animal Welfare Society - alderneyanimalwelfare@outlook.com
- Sark: La Société Sercquaise - wildlife@socsercq.sark.gg

If a dead bird is found, please contact:
- Jersey: Natural Environment Department - environment@gov.je
- Guernsey: Ornithology Section, La Societe Guernesiaise -ornithology@societe.org.gg
- Alderney: Alderney Wildlife Trust - ramsar-ecologist@alderneywildlife.org or on WhatsApp - 07781 107202.
- Sark: La Societe Sercquaise - wildlife@socsercq.sark.gg