(A video about this on BBC can be see here.)

Between the Northern Isles and Aberdeen a ferry crosses back and forth. On this ferry a life-sized bronze puffin has been making this journey for years. Now, it is being donated to the Scottish Wildlife Trust and is being auctioned off on E-bay to the highest bidder. All proceeds go to help the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Here is the E-bay informational page:

This high quality, limited edition of 30, life-size (27cm/11in) bronze puffin has been on a remarkable journey over the last six months.

Created by wildlife sculptor, Eddie Hallam (www.wildlifesculptures.co.uk/), the puffin (or Amber as it’s affectionately known to reflect the puffin’s conservation status) has spent the winter onboard the Northlink Ferry, MV Hrossey. Sailing between Aberdeen & the Orkney Isles, this was intended to mirror the natural habits of it’s real-life counterparts.

Originally sculpted using a wooden armature and worked up in clay & resin, the puffin’s time at sea has produced a wonderfully unusual, mottled green finish where it’s been spattered and sprayed by the sea water.

This is a fantastic opportunity to own a unique, well travelled puffin, full of character whilst helping to protect Scotland’s wildlife for the future.

DELIVERY INFO:

Delivery will be by Royal Mail Special Delivery (1 working day). Alternatively, the winning bidder may collect it from our offices in Edinburgh or any of the following Scottish Wildlife Trust visitor centres:

• Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld
• Montrose Basin, Montrose
• Falls of Clyde, New Lanark

For further information on our puffin’s journey, please visit www.swt.org.uk/news/ferry-captain-carries-unusual-adventurer-to-the-winter-seas/

So, what are you waiting for? Go look for more information on the puffin’s journey and/or go bid on it!

The E-bay page is here. The BBC News article is here.

In the United States it is illegal to film puffins for commercial purposes (commercials, movies etc.). Puffins are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act which states, according to the USFWS Law Enforcement Division,

“Migratory birds (for a complete list, refer to 50 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 10) are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). All native species of birds, with the exception of upland game species (chukar, pheasant, quail, grouse), introduced species (starlings, house or “english” sparrows, and feral pigeons) are protected by the MBTA.
Migratory birds, their parts, nests or eggs may not be possessed, transported, imported, exported, purchased, sold, bartered, or offered for purchase, sale or barter without appropriate permits.

[Use of birds for a movie] is not allowed in the United States, unless the film is produced for the purpose of wildlife conservation education (National Geographic or Discovery Channel films, for example). Commercial use of migratory birds is prohibited. This would include using birds in films produced for entertainment or commercials.”

This event is being held at the Carlisle Visitor Center in LaGrange, Ohio this Saturday, January 12th 2011. This event is free but space is limited.

Here is the description from the website,

Humans have devastated seabird colonies by excessive hunting and by introducing non-native mammals. Worldwide, 23% of all seabird species are now globally threatened by pollution, coastal development, and sea level rise from global warming. Although seabird nesting islands seem safe due to their remoteness, they are intimately connected to human activities.

Stephen Kress, Director of National Audubon Society’s Seabird Restoration Program, will review how techniques developed in Maine led to the restoration of puffins and terns to their historic nesting islands. He will also describe how these techniques help seabirds worldwide through several case studies including efforts to save the Common Murres in California, Caspian Terns in the Columbia River estuary, and the endangered Bermuda Petrel.

Location:

12882 Diagonal Road
LaGrange, Ohio 44050
440-458-5121

Stephen Kress has also given an excellent speech titled, “Restoring Endangered Seabirds: Lessons from Puffins and Terns,” which is available for order at the National Digital Library.

premium puffin (2), originally uploaded by eastwitching.

I found another artist who has painted our sweet little puffin. This one fits his personality, doesn’t it?

This is in her about profile,

For the Love of Animals !

This is what this shop is about – my love of animals, painting them and selling art that helps protect them.

At eastwitching I am using my art to help people to appreciate animals and the integral part they have in our world. I hope to help raise awareness of animal rights, reduce suffering and cruelty by being able to donate what I can each month to several international charities as a result of sales on Etsy.

www.wspa.com
www.advocatesforanimals.org
www.rspb.org

Here is a lot more about me for those interested in reading!:)

Freelance artist painting animals, nudes, landscapes and flowers – previously worked as a teacher of primary school children and adult language students in France, Spain and UK. Worked in tourism abroad and for the National Museum of Wales for 10 years as a front of house administrator and then as Directorate PA. Now studying for a professional Reflexology qualification with the Association of Reflexologists.Qualified as a Traditional Japanese Reiki Practitioner in 2008. Self-taught in art I began painting in 1994. Several of my contemporary florals have been published by Beechwood Publications and sell UK wide. My first love is watercolor followed by pastel and more recently acrylics. Two of my works were selected by jury headed by the late Sir Kyffin Williams for inclusion in the Young Wales V Exhibition at the Royal Cambrian Academy in Caernarfon in 2001. Exhibited in many solo and joint exhibitions in South Wales including fundraisers for the RNID and AIDS victims in Africa.

You can peruse or purchase more of her work here: http://www.eastwitching.etsy.com/

A Passion for Birds uses masks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the avian world. Captivated by Henry Lappen’s beautiful masks and comic portrayal of birds, participants learn how animals adapt to their environment, and why they look and act the way they do.

• Birds’ beaks are compared with common tools.
• Feathers and footprints are explored.
• Science facts and anecdotes are shared.

A Passion for Birds covers several of the core curriculum standards for science. A curriculum guide is available.
 Henry’s combined love and knowledge of birds, and his extraordinary ability as a performer make for a very lively show.

Throughout it all, Henry dances among the crowd demonstrating the form and motion of the different species. Learning some specific mime skills, and imaging more, the audience joins him, taking on the character of each bird while gaining additional knowledge about it. Participants don the masks, and soar as Eagles, stalk as Herons and swim as Puffins. Additional topics include nest building, preening and hiding from danger.

One of his birds of choice is the ATLANTIC PUFFIN!!! =) See the photograph below of his puffin mask…

Photo Source: http://www.henrylappen.com/birdgallery/index.html

You can watch a video clip of the performance here. Or if you are in the Massachusetts area in the end of July,

“The Massachusettes Department of Conservation and Recreation will present “A Passion for Birds”, a comic, interactive, educational show, at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 31, at Wachusett Mountain State Reservation 345 Mountain Road. Created and performed by Henry Lappen, “A Passion for Birds” (formerly Birds in Their Habitat) uses realistic, handmade masks to explore how different birds have evolved different shapes and behaviors to adapt to their environment. Participants get a chance to try on the masks and soar as Eagles, swim as Puffins, and stalk as Herons. This program is free and registration is not required. For information, call Matt at (978) 464-2987.”¹

1. http://www.leominsterchamp.com/news/2010-07-16/Your_City/A_PASSION_FOR_BIRDS_PERFORMANCE.html

Farne Isles Puffins 13-6-2010 ( 7 ), originally uploaded by NE Photography (Hartlepool ).

Technology may help save the puffins of Farne Isles. We must first understand the puffins and their habits completely before we can help rectify the strains that are leading to decling numbers. This is exactly what they are doing at the National Trust Farnes Isles. Led by Dr Richard Bevan from Newcastle University researchers used up-to-date GPS Logging equipment to track 12 birds,¹

“…birds to follow their fishing expeditions out from the islands and back. Results reveal that they now appear to be travelling about 20 miles out from the islands – whereas they were previously thought to head anything up to 60 miles away.”

This information is vital to scientist and researchers in helping preserve the much-needed feeding areas and helping puffin populations thrive.

1. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/press/feeding-flight-paths,1377651.html

Well, when 5th grade Olivia Bouler heard about the oil spill in the place she vacations with her family, she sat down to write a letter with an offer to help the birds…

http://www.aolartists.com/profiles/olivia-bouler/

And so began “Save the Gulf” operation between Olivia, her drawings and the Audubon Society. As of today, June 11 2010, she has helped raise over $80,000 to help rescue the birds from the oil spill still happening. You can read the news story here. Or visit her AOL artist site and enjoy her drawings here. And you can donate to help save the birds here.

http://www.aolartists.com/profiles/olivia-bouler/

It only takes a willingness to help. And one person can make a difference. Thanks Olivia… you give hope to the future! I look forward to seeing you become an Ornithologist one day. The birds are lucky to have you!