Originally the name Puffin was given to the cured carcass of
the nestling Shearwater and comes from the Middle English
word 'poffoun' or 'puffon'. Fratercula is derived from the
Latin meaning little brother; and probably a reference to
their black and white plumage which resembles monastic
robes. The short, thick, swollen bill also gives rise to the
name. Some historical names for Puffin include; Guldenhead,
Bass Cock, Bottle Nose, Cockandy, Coulterneb, Marrot,
Mormon, Pope, Sea Parrot and Lunda Bouger.
There have been five Puffin reported from S.
Gloucestershire;
2002: (2)
A
winter adult was watched on February 5th off Severn Beach;
On February 9th a 1st winter was identified off Severn
Beach.
1997: (1)
On February 25th one was seen off Severn Beach at around
07:45 and what was probably the same bird seen again on the
following day on February 26th heading south-west.
1951: (1)
On February 25th one was washed up at Severn Beach and
collected as tide line corpse.
1935: (1)
One was present sometime in October at Filton Airfield on
top of the Aerospace building.