A lone Atlantic puffin was discovered on October 5th on a residential street next to Lake Pearl in Wrentham, Massachusetts. That’s about thirty miles as the puffin flies from Nantasket Beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, the plump, robin-sized seabird flies less like a gull and more like a bumblebee, with wings beating up to 400 times a minute. Presumably, a strong wind had blown our feathered blue-water friend a good distance off course.
Wrentham/Plainville Animal Control Officer Alexandria Klenk was surprised. This was a first for Wrentham. Creek Street is popular with ducks and other waterfowl because it’s a good loafing spot between Lake Pearl and Lake Archer, but it has never been visited before by the little relative of the Great Auk.
The Puffin was unable to fly and appeared injured. It was taken to Rhode Island’s first wild bird rehabilitation and release center, Congress of the Birds. They were surprised to find the feisty seabird was hardly weak, in good shape, and with a quick-stabbing bill.
After a few days of proper care, plenty of preening of its feathers, and fishing in a pool, the puffin was ready to resume travelling. Puffin boarded a charter vessel northbound for Maine and was released into the ocean near Matinicus Rock, where the southernmost breeding colony of puffins has been established.
Back in the high life again, as Steve Winwood would say.
Steady on,
Rob
