During the opening episode of Sir David Attenborough's latest programme, he visits a tiny island off the coast of Pembrokeshire and explains to viewers why it is so exceptional. Wild Isles on BBC One sees the wildlife expert sticking closer to home and travelling around the UK.
And one of the places he visited in person was Skomer Island, the island located less than a mile off the Welsh coast which is renowned for its puffin colony between April and July.
A colony that Sir David described as an "exception" compared to other parts of the world. Read more about the The record numbers of puffins that are now populating Skomer and Skokholm islands here.
He explained that puffin numbers on the island have been "steadily increasing" in recent years with nearly 40,000 returning to the tiny island every year, an exception as most puffin colonies are in decline.
Sitting amongst some of the birds on the island, he said: "Skomer is an exception. Over fishing and climate change mean the sand eels they depend on are increasingly hard to find. It is clear example of just how fragile and fragmented our nature is.
"Never has there been a more important time to invest in our own wildlife. To try and set an example for the rest of the world and restore our once wild isles for future generations."
The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales revealed last year a record breaking number for an additional year despite the bird being Red Listed and declared a conservation concern at risk of extinction.
At least 49,507 puffins have been recorded in Skomer, Skokholm and seas off Pembrokeshire Special Protection Area in recent years.
The reasons for the rise in Atlantic Puffin population is 'unclear' but WTSWW and fieldworkers from Oxford and Gloucester Universities are carrying out monitoring and research projects in hopes of understanding the rapid increase and hopefully replicating it elsewhere.
A spokeswoman for the Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales said: "The Wildlife Trust’s islands of Skomer and Skokholm are internationally important for their seabird populations. We are so excited to report that our April 2022 Skomer Island puffin count has confirmed that these iconic birds are back in their thousands…38,896 to be exact.
"The Atlantic Puffin population on Skomer has increased by a massive 240% in the last ten years. This is at odds with declines seen in puffin numbers at other UK colonies, especially those in northern Britain where loses have been significant. Puffins continue to be at risk of extinction in parts of their range and are Red Listed as a bird of conservation concern.
"It’s not clear why the puffin population is continuing to increase in Pembrokeshire, but we must remember that numbers are recovering to post war levels which are believed to have been higher still. WTSWW staff and fieldworkers from Oxford and Gloucester Universities continue to carry out vital monitoring and research projects to help us understand the reasons for this increase. Not only will this allow us to safeguard Skomer’s population in future but could also shed light on why they are in serious trouble elsewhere."
The series producer Chris Howard has talked before about a "special moment" he and David shared while filming on the island.
Calling it a "very very special place" Chris described how the 87 concrete steps for David were not a problem and how David waited for hours to see the birds.
He said: "We got David there, there are 87 concrete steps up to the top and he just trotted up all of them... he was lying there from about 10.30 at night till about 2.30 in the morning, on this cold, wet, mud and he loved it. He absolutely loved it. To be there with the animals and watch them, that is classic David Attenborough."
There are several ways to visit the island, which is a 15-minute boat ride from Tenby and overseen by the Wildlife Trust of South Wales.
There are five-hour day trips that allow you to explore the island, as well as overnight stays on offer in the three-star hostel on the island.
Private operators also run trips throughout the season and they also organise school trips. Find out more here.
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