Lihou the first Puffin at the GSPCA in over a decade is just one of many sea birds at the Shelter

Submitted by GSPCA on 20:43, 18th Feb, 2014 | 0

Across the Channel Islands dead and sick sea birds are being found.

The GSPCA have seen a dramatic increase in exhausted and oiled birds from guillemots to gannets and today a puffin was rescued.

Lihou as the puffin has been called was found earlier today and collected from L'Eree.

Lihou the puffin is currently in an intensive care unit at the GSPCA Wildlife Unit and the team are keeping their fingers crossed the beautiful little bird makes it through the night.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said 'Puffins spend much of their life out at sea but this continued extreme weather has had a huge impact on many species of sea birds.'

'Lihou as we've called the puffin came in earlier today exhausted and we are all hoping he will make it through the night, especially as he is the first puffin at the GSPCA in over 10 years.'

'We really are inundated with sea birds and we currently have 13 guillemots, 1 gannet and the puffin, although there have been many more brought in too weak to save or even dead on arrival.'

'The sea birds we are seeing at the GSPCA are often exhausted and very thin, with a few affected by traces of oil.'

'Currently as well as all the sea birds at the Shelter we still have the two seal pups Trinity and Eden. Both are doing well but between the seals and the many sea birds we are using dozens of fish every day.'

'If you have sand eels, herring, sprats or mackerel or can donate to help pay for some food for them we would really appreciate it.'

To donate to the BIG FISH APPEAL please call 01481 257261 or click here, thank you.

Puffins

Puffins have a black back and white underparts, and distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and a tall, flattened, brightly-coloured bill.

Its comical appearance is heightened by its red and black eye-markings and bright orange legs. With over 500,000 pairs half of the UK population is at only a few sites and they are on Amber List species.

Puffins Latin name is Fratercula arctica and the are from the Auks (Alcidae) family.

Adults arrive back at their breeding colonies in March and April and leave again in mid-August. Some remain in the North Sea at winter, whilst others move further south to the Bay of Biscay.

Puffins feed on fish, especially sandeels.

The following are events planned for 2014

Date	Event
17^th – 21^st February 2014	Half Term and Open Week at the GSPCA. Our Training and Event Room will be open with items for sale, refreshments and animals in need of homes on view.
Wednesday 26^th February 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
930am Sunday 2^nd March 2014	Cat Basic First Aid & Care Training Course with the GSPCA – Minimum donation of £15 per person	http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/first-gspca-dog-first-aid-proves-enjoyable-and-educational-experience
630pm Thursday 6^th March 2014	Dingle Dell’s Flying Visit at the Pavilion	http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/freedom-food-fund-raiser-pavilion-dingle-dells-flying-visit
930am Sunday 23^rd March 2014	Dog Basic First Aid & Care Training Course with the GSPCA – Minimum donation of £15 per person	http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/first-gspca-dog-first-aid-proves-enjoyable-and-educational-experience
1^st April – 5^th May 2014	National Pet Adoption Month
Wednesday 2^nd April 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
Friday 4^th April 2014	World Stray Day - Come see our stall in Market Square, St Peter Port	Date and details to be finalised
7^th – 22^nd April 2014	Guernsey Easter Term Break
Monday 28^th April – 4^th May 2014	GSPCA Cupcake Week	For more details please click here
5^th – 11^th May 2014	Rabbit Awareness Week
9^th May 2014	Liberation Day – We are hoping to have a stall at the event in St Peter Port	http://www.guernseyliberationday.com/
Sunday 11^th May 2014	Car Boot Sale with MENFUN	Details to follow
Wednesday 14^th May 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
1^st – 30^th June 2014	Microchip Month
Sunday 1^st June 2014	GSPCA Summer Dog Show – To be held at Fairfields	Details to follow
Sunday 7^th June 2014	Itex Walk – in 2013 we were lucky enough to be one of the nominated charities	http://www.itexwalk.gg/
Sunday 15^th June 2014	Fathers Day Half Marathon – Do you fancy running for the GSPCA? To create your Just Giving sponsored event page please go to - http://www.justgiving.com/gspca	http://guernseyathletics.org.gg/half/
27^th – 29^th June 2013	Chaos Music Festival – Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event
Wednesday 2^nd July 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
Sunday 5^th July 2014	Viva Las Vegas Summer Ball & Casino Night Saturday 5th July 2014 at St Pierre Park in aid of GSPCA & Thomson Memorial Trust	http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/viva-las-vegas-summer-ball-casino-night-saturday-5th-july-2014-st-pierre-park-aid-gspca-thomson
19^th July – 31^st August 2014	Guernsey Summer Term Break
8^th – 9^th August 2014	South Show - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
13^th – 14^th August 2014	West Show - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
16^th August 2014	It’s A Knockout - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
20^th – 21^st August 2014	North Show - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
23^rd August 2014	Donkey Derby - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
24^th August 2014	Guernsey Waterfront Marathon – Do you fancy running for the GSPCA? To create your Just Giving sponsored event page please go to - http://www.justgiving.com/gspca	http://www.guernseymarathon.gg/
Possibly 30^th August 2014	GSPCA Flag Day - Come see our stall at this wonderful annual event	Date and details to be finalised
Wednesday 3^rd September 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
Sunday 14^th September 2014	Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday	Date and details to be finalised
Saturday 4^th October 2014	World Animal Day - Come see our stall in Market Square, St Peter Port	Date and details to be finalised
Saturday 4^th October 2014	World Animal Day – PAWS for a pint an event around local pubs, bars and restaurants in Guernsey	Date and details to be finalised
Sunday 5^th October 2014	Animal Castle	Details to follow
Sunday 12^th October 2014	Car Boot Sale with MENFUN	Details to follow
Wednesday 24^th October 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
To be confirmed - November 2014	Halloween Style Fun Dog Show & Pet Picture Show	Date and details to be finalised
27^th October – 2^nd November 2014	Guernsey Half Break Term
To be confirmed - November 2014	GSPCA Halloween/Winter Ball	Date and details to be finalised
November 2014	Round Table Christmas Fayre	Date and details to be finalised
Wednesday 26^th November 2014	Volunteer Induction Evening at the GSPCA from Starts 6.30pm Finishes 8pm	For information on Volunteering please click here
Thursdays in December 2014	Stall in St Peter Port for the Late Night Shopping
22^nd December 2014	Guernsey Christmas Term Break starts
Sunday 14^th December 2014	GSPCA Christmas Themed Santa Style Dog Sponsored Walk. To create your Just Giving sponsored event page please go to - http://www.justgiving.com/gspca

To find out about how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, Events, our Cattery Appeal and much more please click here.