Puffins of Jersey

A little while ago I was invited to help make two giant willow Puffins for the National Trust for Jersey. The project was to kick start their conservation efforts to increase the puffin population which has dwindled  in recent years. They are perched on one of the most exposed locations you could imagine. High above the beach and the cliffs where  the actual puffins nest on the coastal north of the island at Plemont. With all that the weather can bring these two residents have some sturdy infrastructure to keep them firmly in place.  

It was a slow burn to begin with ideas planted, site visits, challenges mapped out, designs, structural engineers, fundraising, planning permissions, fabricators and weavers.  Probably my most in depth project to date. Here is a time line with some of the culprits involved.

Here I go with Alcindo Pinto to visit the site for the sculptures. The whole area is now owned by the Trust and is to be a nature reserve. The future plan is to create a safe haven for the visiting puffins to nest and rear their chicks on the cliffs below.  My task is to assess the feasibility of a giant willow sculpture of two billing puffins. At first it looks breathtaking with views over to France and the other Channel Islands what an amazing location. The truth is that the weather is at it's fiercest here in the winter months and winds can reach dangerous speeds.

I admire the view but walk away with many doubts to the challenges of willow. 

Some of the early drawings for the metal framework to be based on.  We begin to talk about the actual framework and the challenges it will face. There seems no way to build what the Trust wants without some serious engineering involved. Are there any skilled metal workers to be found on the island who can take on the task. I meet Joe and he assures me he and Artisan Iron are more than capable.

Time moves on and a few months later we do get the green light to begin work.

Things are looking groovy in Grouville the guys at Artisan Iron are doing their thing  Nat , Joe and Kev have already fabricated the hefty metal inner frame when I arrive and begin making the 

frames for the willow to be attached to.  No going back. All I can do is  interfere with posh biscuits and admire their skill.

Me and Alcindo get out of the way and move to the barn at his place to weave the heads. 

Back in Grouville it's heads on weave the beaks 

Weave on brother.

Working fast and with some help from Luca  we get these big birds done. Phew.

Getting the Puffins out of the workshop, onto the low loader and across the island is a mission. It all takes so much planning and logistics. We give them helmets to protect them from snagging on trees  and they are pulled by a tractor at 20mph from Grouville to Plemont at dawn. The journey is the long way round too avoiding low bridges and trees and is the other end of the island. They arrive safely at 5am.  Great team.

Still much to do  once we are on site. My sister lives in Jersey our family has a long connection on the island. I stayed with her throughout. She fed me well. Here at the end of her working day she turns up to give us a hand with the feet. I think it is in the blood and she has helped before. They are looking so great. I am happy, nearly done.

The opening ceremony. Cut the ribbon say thanks hand out prizes and take a few photos.  The last two photos are of Cris Sellares the wildlife conservation person from the Trust who stepped up and managed the project. She is the one who knows what is happening to the wildlife and bird populations in Jersey. She is the one out there looking for their arrival and watching their progress. She is fundraising now to create a protective barrier along that stretch of coastline where the Puffins nest but are in danger of predators.

                                      They are winners too. Let's wish them luck for the future.