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First Mainland Puffling in 30 Years Fledges at Swanage

7/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A baby puffin, first mainland puffling in 30 years, was seen on the Purbeck coast near Swanage.
Volunteers led by marine ornithologist Richard Caldow monitored the cliffs for 15 weeks while the National Trust installed motion-sensor cameras.
Six adult puffins were recorded in April, with the chick fledging on July 7 at 38 days old, now at sea alone, and having earliest return expected in 2028 with breeding unlikely before 2030.

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Story summary

A baby puffin, first mainland puffling in 30 years, was seen on the Purbeck coast near Swanage.
Volunteers led by marine ornithologist Richard Caldow monitored the cliffs for 15 weeks while the National Trust installed motion-sensor cameras.
Six adult puffins were recorded in April, with the chick fledging on July 7 at 38 days old, now at sea alone, and having earliest return expected in 2028 with breeding unlikely before 2030.