Atlantic Puffins are censused through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Seabird Colony Monitoring Program at a number of large breeding colonies across Atlantic Canada and Quebec. These surveys have documented variable population trends. At Gull Island, Witless Bay, Newfoundland, puffin abundance increased by >100% between 1973 and 2003, but farther north in the Gannet Islands, Labrador, abundance decreased slightly over a similar time period. Colonies on the north shore of the St. Lawrence decreased through the 1990s (Lowther et al. 2002), and are currently below levels seen in the 1970s. Overall, however, Atlantic Puffins in Canada have exhibited a moderate increase in abundance since about 1970, particularly over the last decade. However, because current information is lacking at some colonies, the assessment is considered only moderately reliable. The Atlantic Puffin is currently at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see graph below).
Additional information on: Seabird Colony Monitoring Program
