When a homeowner in Herefordshire, England, glanced out at their quiet garden, they expected to see the usual — maybe a robin or two hopping through the grass.
Instead, they saw a puffin.
Far from the crashing waves and rocky cliffs these seabirds call home, the tiny puffin stood bewildered among garden flowers — over 110 miles from the coast.
Startled but compassionate, the homeowner scooped up the lost bird and rushed her to Vets for Pets Hereford, where staff were stunned to meet such an unusual patient.
The puffin — later named Oona — was weak and weighed barely half what an adult puffin should. Yet she was alert and full of spirit. The team quickly consulted a wildlife vet, then transferred her to the RSPCA’s West Hatch Wildlife Centre for specialized care.
“We’ve only had six puffins here in the last decade,” said Ryan Walker, wildlife supervisor at West Hatch. “So Oona’s arrival was big news — the first since 2021.”
There, Oona was treated to what rescuers fondly called a ‘luxury spa day’ — a gentle wash to remove oil from her feathers and restore her waterproofing. Clean and cozy, she finally began to rest.
No one knows exactly how Oona ended up so far inland. Rescuers suspect strong coastal winds blew her off course during a storm. But whatever her journey, they were determined to help her find her way home.
After days of recovery, fish feasts, and swimming practice in a rescue pool, Oona was ready. She was taken to Pembrokeshire, where the waves once again greeted her.
As soon as her cage door opened, she darted toward the surf — wings outstretched, diving joyfully into the open sea.
For Oona, the long detour was finally over. She was home again — wild, free, and right where she belonged.
