Puffin chicks spotted in Reykjavík signal healthy food supply

The unusual sight of puffin chicks wandering through Reykjavík has become a talking point for residents, particularly in the Vesturbær district. Several young puffins have been observed disoriented amidst traffic, with one even found near the Grandaborg kindergarten last week. Discussions about the birds' presence have circulated on local social media groups, with one resident sharing how they captured a chick and released it at sea.

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It's like with the chicks in the Westman Islands, they are drawn to the lights in the town here just like there.

According to ornithologist Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson, the appearance of puffin chicks in the city is a positive sign. He explains that their presence indicates that the puffins have ample food sources, allowing them to grow and thrive. While puffins do visit Reykjavík periodically at the end of summer, it is not an annual occurrence. They have even been spotted on the city's Tjörnin pond.

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It is good to know that there are chicks around. They have had enough to eat and have managed to grow and thrive.

Hilmarsson encourages the public to assist these lost chicks, drawing a parallel to the efforts made in the Westman Islands, where such rescues are common. He advises people to carefully capture the disoriented birds and release them into the sea, as they are unlikely to survive on their own amidst the urban landscape. The chicks are essentially lost on the concrete, far from their natural habitat.

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It is advisable to capture them and help them out to sea. Otherwise, they will not survive.

While the puffin chick season is expected to wind down soon, Hilmarsson notes that the timing can vary depending on food availability. The overall health of the puffin population, evidenced by these young birds venturing into the city, suggests a robust breeding season. Sightings have also been reported in other areas, including Akurey, Engey, Lundey, and potentially Viðey, indicating a healthy distribution of the species.

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They are just lost on the concrete. It is advisable to release them out to sea.