A new live-streaming initiative is bringing the lives of puffins and their chicks—known as pufflings—direct to screens around the world. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) has deployed network cameras from Axis Communications to capture and broadcast the activity of seabirds on Skomer Island, one of the UK’s most ecologically significant habitats.
The project marks a technological and educational milestone for the remote 720-acre island, which lies off the coast of Pembrokeshire. Recognised as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area, Skomer is home to over 41,000 puffins and the world’s largest colony of Manx shearwaters—an estimated 350,000 breeding pairs.
Historically, the island used a basic analogue camera system that relayed footage to an on-site monitoring station. A subsequent digital upgrade failed due to the harsh coastal environment, but public demand prompted the Trust to fundraise for a more resilient solution. The result was the installation of Axis Communications’ network cameras, with Pembrokeshire-based integrator Dragon WiFi tasked with delivering remote streaming capability from an off-grid site with no fibre or wired broadband.
“It’s not your typical site,” said Guy Farley, Managing Director of Dragon WiFi. “We had to be creative. We connected the mainland visitor centre to our wireless broadband mast and then set up a wireless link to Skomer Island, two miles offshore.”
Once connectivity was achieved, the Axis equipment and software integration proved well-suited to the task. “For a project like this, where we were looking to stream to YouTube, Axis hardware was perfect,” Farley explained. “We’re partnered with livestreaming provider CamStreamer, and their integration with Axis was seamless. Install the app and we’ve got remote camera access—no router configuration, no port forwarding. We’ve also fallen in love with AXIS Camera Station Edge: no codecs, no complications. It just works.”
The livestream—available on The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ YouTube channel—is active during the March to September breeding season. In its first season alone, it drew more than 120,000 views.
Grace Hunt, Communications Officer at WTSWW, said the project’s impact extends far beyond engagement numbers. “It’s a great customer experience and education tool, fantastic for inspiring the next generation of conservationists,” she said. “Visiting Skomer is not always possible, especially for those with limited mobility. The livestream offers an alternative that helps connect people to nature. It also supports our research by allowing behavioural monitoring of native wildlife and assists with safety assessments, such as determining whether landing conditions are safe.”
The cameras are now an integral part of the Trust’s conservation and outreach strategy. WTSWW, which manages over 100 reserves in Wales, plans to expand awareness of the livestream in future seasons to build community support and attract new members.
With growing demand for digital access to nature and environmental education, the Skomer Island livestream illustrates how robust surveillance and networking technology can contribute beyond traditional security applications. Axis Communications’ involvement in the project underscores a broader trend of technology companies working alongside conservationists to increase environmental accessibility and engagement.