Photo of the Week

Join date : 1970-01-01

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The Puffin population on the Farne Islands took a big dip a few years ago, and the prolonged winter this year made conditions at sea very difficult for these birds. Even though it started a little later it's hoped this breeding season will be a good one. In the next few weeks these birds will be heading back out to sea for another year, so if you want to see them you need to be quick.

Puffins spend most of their lives out at sea, but during their breeding season from late March through to late July they come on land to nest. The best time to visit the puffin nest sites is from mid June to mid July when the parent birds are busy flying back and forth from the sea to the nests with food for the chicks.

At some of these locations you'll be able to get very close to the puffins, but be careful as puffin watching can have it's hazards. Wearing sensible clothing (including a hat) and shoes is a must. Stick to the well worn tracks around colonies. This way you'll avoid stepping on a burrow, crushing the occupants and possibly twisting your ankle.

Keep away from the cliff edges too. Getting a more distant photo of a puffin is much better than moving in for a close up and slipping over a cliff. Take care and enjoy yourself.

Top Puffin Watching Sites:-

Northern Ireland
Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland (ferry from Ballycastle)

Scotland
St Kilda
Craigleith Island
Isle of May
Castle of Burrian, Orkney
Brough of Birsay, Orkney
Marwick Head, Orkney
John O'Groats (surrounding coastline)
Cape Wrath
Fair Isle
Sumburgh Head, Shetland Isles
The Isle of Noss, Shetland Isles
Fetlar, Shetland Isles
Hermaness, Unst, Shetland Isles
Foula, Shetland Isles
Staffa Island, Inner Hebrides

Wales
Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire (ferries from Martin's Haven)
Skokholm Island (ferries from Martin's Haven)
South Stack, Anglesey

England
The Farne Islands, Northumberland (ferries from Seahouses)
Coquet Island, Visit Northumberland
Bempton Cliffs, North Yorkshire

Channel Islands
Burhou (Google "Burhou puffin cam") off Alderney, Channel Islands
Herm (east/south coast)

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Subject: Re: Photo of the Week Sat Jun 22, 2013 11:18 am

I like puffins

Location : leicester Join date : 2011-07-06 Posts : 3012

Puffins are so cute Smile

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