Whether you call it a colony, a puffinry, a circus, a burrow, a gathering, or an improbability, ‘Puffins Galore!’ has arrived. Forty-two artist-decorated sculptures can be seen all along the Yorkshire coast from Bempton to Spurn Point, with a cheeky few migrating inland.
With their brightly coloured bill, striking black and white plumage, orange legs and comical waddle, puffins are some of the world’s best-loved seabirds. They are also seriously threatened by human activities and the effects of climate change.
Cranswick is one of the sponsors of the Puffins Galore project for Visit Yorkshire. The overarching aim of the project is to attract visitors to the East Yorkshire coast, while raising awareness about environmental issues. There are 42 puffins in total, sponsored by organisations across the region. The Puffin sponsored by Cranswick is located at Hornsea.
The unique decoration of each puffin responds to one of three core themes:
- Endangered wildlife of the coasts and seas
- The global warming crisis and the growth of green energy
- People and stories of the East Yorkshire coast
Yorkshire Coast Business Improvement District and East Riding Council provided initial funding and support necessary to get the project up and running. Sponsors have made the finished product possible.
The sculptures will eventually be sold to support charities working locally to promote conservation and preserve life at sea. Hornsea Inshore Rescue, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution all benefit from the proceeds of the project.