Purbeck's incredible coastline plays host to a small but important range of breeding seabirds with some species faring better than others. Monitoring these populations is an important ongoing commitment with many colonies having been assessed since the 1960’s. Guillemots and Razorbills are a common sight along the cliffs at Durlston each spring and summer, whilst Kittiwake and Fulmar have seen struggling since surveys began. Purbeck's Puffins are also an important and popular feature of this coastline, but with peak numbers now rarely reaching double figures, understanding and assessing their plight is a critical task each year.

The National Trust Purbeck team in partnership with Durlston Country Park (Dorset Council) have done an incredible job coordinating these surveys over the last 15 years, and this year we’re looking to help support the partnership by raising funds to ensure the 2026 Purbeck seabird survey can be completed. Funds will be used to charter the survey boat, assign trained seabird surveyors and for the data to be analysed and written up in a final report.

If like us, you think Purbeck's seabirds are an important part of this rich and varied coastline, please consider supporting this fundraiser so that a scientific understanding can be adopted to help safeguard their future.

Many thanks, the Birds of Poole Harbour team.