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Giant puffins to be repaired after 'severe' damage

News imageElizabeth Longbottom A side on shot of the two puffin sculptures with their heads together. The willow is frayed and coming off in many places and the paintwork is faded. A grey-ish sky is visible in the background.Elizabeth Longbottom
The Plémont puffins have fallen into disrepair over the winter months, with the woven willow appearing frayed and coming off in many places

Two giant puffins made from woven willow that suffered "severe" damage during recent winter storms in Jersey are set to be repaired.

The 4m (13ft) high puffins, which are also made from forged steel, have been in place overlooking Plémont Bay since 2022 to support conservation efforts.

Since then, they have become a popular tourist attraction.

The National Trust for Jersey said repair work was "currently being planned but the puffins will also require a more comprehensive overhaul in the not-too-distant future".

News imageElizabeth Longbottom The back of a giant woven willow puffin is visible on Plemont headland. The sea is visible in the background. The puffin has a big hole in its back, where willow has fallen away due to damage. The black steel frame is visible where willow once was. Elizabeth Longbottom
Weather damage to the puffins has revealed their inner steel frames

In an online post, the trust attributed the damage to recent "exceptionally strong winter storms".

It said the puffins were normally inspected every spring but the current level of damage had been deemed "more severe than in previous years".

News imageA wide, side shot of the two giant puffin sculptures with their heads together and crowds all around. The willow is not frayed as this was taken before the storm. A clear blue sky is visible in the background.
Before the storms, the giant sculptures - which have always been a popular tourist attraction - were in better condition

The trust said the puffins' "exposed coastal location, combined with prolonged high winds and storm-blown debris has resulted in more extensive damage than usual. Repair work is currently being planned".

It has also said the puffins will "require a more comprehensive overhaul" soon "to ensure they can be safely preserved and enjoyed for many years to come".

'Small benefit'

Despite, the extensive repairs needed, the trust added there was a "small benefit" to the breakdown of the willow used to build the puffins.

This was because, as nesting season approached, choughs and other birds made "use of the loosened willow for nesting material, which they commonly rely on," it said.

Islanders wishing to support the repair have been asked to contact the trust to find out how they can contribute.

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