 Other animals may have been taking Puffins' food |
Conservationists are concerned Jersey's puffin population could die out. There are now only 10 in the island, compared to about 30 in 1999. They used to live in five locations, but can now only really be found around Plemont.
Principal ecologist Mike Freeman said they may have been affected by people disturbing them, or food shortages due to seagulls or other animals.
It is also thought that such a small number in Jersey could not reproduce enough to keep the population going.
Fears that Alderney's puffin population is under threat has prompted conservation groups to take action.
In the 1950s there were more than 1,000 pairs of puffins living around the island, but the current figures are now estimated at fewer than 200.
A year-long study by the Alderney Wildlife Trust is being launched to look into the situation.