Planning permission has been granted for the sculpture to be built on restored land owned by the National Trust for Jersey – who are working in partnership with Birds on the Edge to deliver the project.
The sculpture will depict two puffins facing each other with their bills touching. This position, also known as ‘billing’, is a sign of recognition and partnership between breeding pairs.
There are four breeding pairs of puffins left in the Island and they are often found between Plémont and Grève De Lecq between March and July.
The sea bird is threatened by invasive predators such as feral ferrets and rats. The awareness-raising sculpture is part of a wider project aimed at improving the habitat and breeding opportunities for the local population.
Cris Sellarés, project officer for Birds on the Edge, said: ‘We are hoping to have it built by the end of the year and it would be a fitting introduction to the arrival of our puffins in March next year.
‘We do not want to be the generation that lost the puffin.
‘We need to protect the cliffs and their habitats, so we are looking at options on how to do so.’
The sculpture will be four metres tall and six metres wide. The internal framework will be made of steel and the rest will be made of willow, which will be replaced or repaired when required.
The sculpture is expected to remain in place for its two-to-three year lifespan.
