Well, the day (finally!) came. Whilst manning an RSPB stand at the Cunningsburgh Show yesterday, in amongst the prize vegetables and pets, I received a call from Andy at Promote Shetland. "There's a few folk been in touch who have been watching the webcam," he said, "Something's happened in the burrow." The chick had gone.
Dark skies have returned to Shetland and the chick will have used the darkness for protection (from predators like large gulls and skuas), leaving the burrow sometime between dusk on the 10th and dawn on the 11th. It was a night of rain here in Shetland, but glorious sunshine came in the morning. Where the puffin chick has gone now, we can only guess. As I write this update, I like to think of the chick now a few miles off of sunny Shetland on calm waters managing to find food for itself.
I spoke with Andy today and he filled me in on what had happened on the night of the 10th. As the light dimmed in the burrow, Andy could see there were both a parent and the chick in the burrow. We joked that it was as if the parent had come to say a final few advisory words to the chick about the future (isn't there a Cat Stevens song that could be adapted?). At around 21.30-21.45, the youngster's white plumage could still be seen, and that was the last he saw of the chick. Puffin chicks aren't abandoned by their parents, but visits do become fewer and we'd be interested to hear from any viewers who saw a parent returning (possibly with fish) after the chick had departed. We hope to put together an edited highlight of the Tammy Norie Story, to be available on the internet.
If you watch reality TV shows, no doubt you'll have heard the phrase "It's been such an incredible journey." I have to say, I now know how it feels (ish). For me, there were nerves and anxiety during the early days - would the puffins actually use the burrow and would the technology work, to will the parents return to incubate the egg? Then there were the moments of peacefulness, watching the adults incubate their egg and brood the chick. There's been a few comic moments, like when the rabbits paid a visit to the burrow or when the 54day old chick still tried to squeeze under the parent's wing. And of course, there was the shock of seeing the chick being attacked by another puffin. I've found it a really interesting and emotional experience.
At the Cunningsburgh Show, I was touched with the feedback we got from people. Many folk came up to our stand to say how much they've enjoyed puffincam and share their thoughts and feelings. That is really rewarding for all of us here in the Shetland Office. The Date With Nature at Sumburgh Head is all about raising awareness about our seabirds and encouraging folk to support the RSPB.
We'd like to thank everyone who has been involved in the Date With Nature & puffincam in any way. Whether you came up to visit us at Sumburgh Head, watched on-line, contacted us, or offered financial support - you are greatly appreciated.