Now moving into its third decade, the annual Puffin and Petrel Patrol is underway in the Witless Bay and Bay Bulls area.

Every year, young puffin and storm petrel chicks who navigate by stars in the night sky, become disoriented by artificial light and end up stranded in communities where they are vulnerable to traffic and predators.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, or CPAWS, has been involved in a puffin and petrel patrol for the last 20 years, with volunteers fanning out to pick up wayward pufflings and petrel chicks.

The birds are then released over the water at night.

Suzanne Dooley of CPAWS says this year’s patrol saw an early start, which she says is a sign that food sources have been healthy this year.

“We saw a lot of caplin coming in July, so that means there’s a good lot of food sources, and it lined up when the adult puffins would be feeding the young chicks. By the look of the birds that have been rescued so far, they seem to be pretty plump and happy birds, so we’re very happy that they seem to be very healthy and Mother Nature apparently aligns with us this year.”

She says volunteers are always welcome.