France - Thousands of puffins, victims of storms, are washing up on the coastline in Brittany

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"A massive and abnormal phenomenon": in Brittany, thousands of puffins, victims of storms, are washing up on the coastline

Maël Prévost

Published onWednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7:47 AM

More than 8,000 puffins have been found dead or weakened on Atlantic beaches since the beginning of February, particularly in Brittany. Storms and a depletion of fish stocks explain this exceptional mortality rate.

"This is truly a massive phenomenon, one we're not used to and which is really abnormal ," warns Guillaume Bruneau, administrator of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) in Brittany, this Wednesday, February 18, on ICI Breizh Izel. Since the beginning of February, 8,000 puffins have been found dead or weakened on the beaches of the French Atlantic coast , he explains. This record number is worrying the LPO volunteers.

Guillaume Bruneau is also the association's coordinator in Quiberon (Morbihan). In the bay, the situation is particularly worrying: "In our area, we've found more than 500 carcasses and only three birds still alive ." These birds, accustomed to Atlantic winters, are suffering from successive storms and heavy swells. The waves limit their access to the small fish they feed on. None of

About a hundred couples remain in Sept-Îles

Other seabirds, such as guillemots and penguins, are also found on our coasts, but in smaller numbers: "This winter, the numbers remain within the norm ," explains Guillaume Bruneau. Puffins are therefore the most affected birds, even though the species is already vulnerable, impacted by pollution, climate change, and accidental capture.

Despite the scale of this phenomenon, the species is not globally threatened: "This episode will not jeopardize the species' survival within its range ." However, some French colonies, such as those on the Sept-Îles archipelago, have already declined significantly, with only about a hundred pairs remaining .

What should I do if I find a bird in distress on the coast?

To help a weakened puffin on the beach, the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) offers some advice: "Place the bird in a cardboard box in a quiet, dark room, without giving it anything to eat, and contact the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center or the SOS Wildlife Distress hotline (02.57.63.13.13) . " In Brittany, the LPO coordinates this human chain to rescue and transport the birds to specialized centers.

https://www.francebleu.fr/emissions/l-invite-actu-ici-breizh-izel/un-phenomene-massif-et-anormal-des-milliers-de-macareux-victimes-des-tempetes-s-echouent-sur-le-littoral-6372081

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Mass stranding of Atlantic puffins on the coast

The Atlantic coastline is currently experiencing a significant stranding of seabirds, particularly Atlantic puffins

Published on Tuesday, February 17, 2026


Mass stranding of Atlantic puffins on the coast

The Atlantic coastline is currently experiencing a significant stranding of seabirds, particularly Atlantic puffins.

This phenomenon is likely linked to a series of winter storms that have weakened the birds to the point of death.

The surviving birds are malnourished and hypothermic.

The LPO coordinates and manages the network for monitoring seabird strandings on the Atlantic coast.

This information is particularly important for understanding the population dynamics of seabirds in France, but also at the European level. Wildlife rehabilitation centers are mobilized to care for surviving birds.

Municipal agents are already fully mobilized on our 15 km of coastline to assess and record strandings, rescue weakened animals and organize the collection of carcasses.

What should we do if we find Atlantic puffins on our Trembladais coastline?

Dead bird:

• Do not handle it (health risk related to avian flu).
• Check if he is carrying any scientific equipment (metal ring, GLS, GPS). Note the information written on it.
• You can report it to the town hall at 05.46.36.99.00. Municipal agents will take care of collecting the individuals as soon as possible with the necessary precautions.
• You can also report it via the ICAO application to contribute to the census: https://icao.seo.org/fr/inscription

Live bird: in distress (apathy, drooping wing, injury…).

• Approach it from the seaward side to avoid pushing it back into the water. Protect yourself with gloves. Catch it as gently as possible with a thick cloth, making sure to keep its wings close to its body and cover its head.
• Place it in a cardboard box in a quiet place, without water or food.
• Note the ring numbers, take a photo and contact a care center quickly:
  • The Bird Marsh: 05.46.75.37.54
  • LPO in Charente-Maritime: 05.46.82.12.34

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https://www.la-tremblade.fr/actualites/echouage-massif-de-macareux-moine-sur-le-littoral/

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More than 12,000 seabirds have been found stranded on the Atlantic coast.

News

February 19, 2026 LPO France Article
Wildlife in distress Care centers

Since mid-January, a mass stranding event has affected the entire Atlantic coastline, from Finistère to Charente-Maritime, and as far as the Spanish and Portuguese coasts. In France, more than 12,000 bird strandings have been recorded since February 1st.Wildlife France. Numerous strandings have already been documented by the Atlantic Seabird Stranding Network (REOMA), coordinated by LPO.

A major event on the Atlantic coast

The main species concerned are alcids, with a majority of Atlantic puffin The event extends beyond France's borders: in Spain and Portugal, our partners BirdLife (SEO for Spain, SPEA for Portugal) have recorded several thousand stranded birds along the entire Atlantic coast, with a recent increase in the southern Bay of Biscay (due to winds), as far north as Brittany. An increase in strandings has also been detected further north, particularly in the Channel Islands and the United Kingdom.

In total, more than 20,000 birds were found stranded or reported along the entire Atlantic coast: nearly 15,000 in France, 4,400 in Spain, and 1,200 in Portugal. These figures, however, do not reflect the true mortality rate. Mass strandings of seabirds frequently occur following winter storms. But this event is exceptional in its scale and duration. In 2014, more than 50,000 seabirds were found stranded on the Atlantic coast, 96% of which were auks and 64% puffins, illustrating the scale these phenomena can reach.

An exceptional mobilization of healthcare centers

Given the intensity of the episode, thecare centersWildlife rescue centers are experiencing an exceptional mobilization. In just a few days, several hundred seabirds (Atlantic Puffin, Common Guillemot, Little Auk) have been admitted to these facilities, leading to a saturation of reception capacities.

The areas from Gironde to Pyrénées-Atlantiques are particularly affected. To address this, the care centers of Paloume (Landes) and Hegalaldia (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), run by the LPO Aquitaine, are working to provide care.in connection with the national network of healthcare centersThey organize and help each other with cash transfers in order to relieve congestion at the most busy sites.

The LPO's Mobile Care Unit (UMS) provides reinforcements

The LPO Aquitaine center reached its maximum capacity for 200 seabirds within a few days following a massive influx of puffins in particular. To cope with this, the UMS (Unité de Surveillance et de Surveillance - Surveillance and Surveillance Unit) will be relocated next to the LPO Aquitaine center to allow for the accommodation of more birds in suitable conditions.
UMSis a mobile care center that can be set up for the necessary time in an area affected by a major crisis (oil spill, mass strandings, fire, etc.) in order to help deal with the influx of animals.
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What should you do if you find a stranded bird?

Strandings of dead animals

Do not handle the animal under any circumstances, even if it appears to be in good condition, to avoid any risk of disease transmission. Help keep track of stranded birds by reporting them viathe ICAO mobile application
Birds may be wearing leg bands. Therefore, it is very important to note the band numbers on the recorded observation.

To limit double counting, it is recommended to put a string on the leg

Ideally, take a photo of the bird (to confirm the species) and of the beak (to determine the bird's age).

Strandings of live animals

• Ensure that the animal is truly in danger (apathy, drooping wing, signs of bleeding, inability to stand on its feet)
• Protect yourself by wearing gloves and remaining vigilant regarding the bird's reactions
Capture the bird carefully and without rushing, using a thick cloth. Keep its wings pressed against its body and its head hidden. Never close its beak with an elastic band or adhesive tape.
Place the bird in a cardboard box and isolate it in a quiet, dark, and temperate room while waiting to transfer it to an authorized facility.
Do not give it food or water, as this could cause it to choke or ingest unsuitable food.
·Contact the care centerthe nearest one to you or the LPO at 05 46 82 12 34

Follow the progress in real time

https://www.lpo.fr/qui-sommes-nous/toutes-nos-actualites/articles/actus-2026/plus-de-12-000-oiseaux-marins-echoues-sur-la-facade-atlantique2