European Puffin
Puffin by Nicholas Day Prints
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About the Puffin
The Atlantic or Common Puffin (Fratercula
arctica)
The Puffin is probably the best known member
of the Auk family, although there are another 21 species including Guillemots and
Razorbills. It is instantly recognisable with its brightly coloured bill and well liked by all birdwatchers. The Atlantic or Common Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is the species which is seen in Shetland and the rest of Britain.
It nests in burrows (which they usully
dig themselves with their very sharp claws)
amongst boulder scree and also in cracks in
the cliffs. About one fifth of the total
Puffin population of Scotland breed in
Shetland, approximately 125,000 pairs.
Most of the large coloured part of the
Puffin's bill (the bright bluish and yellow
areas closest to the head) is simply a
decorative sheath and is shed during the
winter, to be regrown each spring at the
start of the breeding season. In winter
plumage therefore their bill appears much
duller in colouration and noticeably
smaller.
When to Watch
Almost all Puffins leave Shetland during the
winter months returning to their breeding
areas from March onwards. Large 'rafts'
(groups of birds swimming together) of
Puffins may be seen on the sea at this time
as they gather around their breeding areas.
They lay only a single egg and the chick is
fed in the burrow on small fish. Most Puffin
colonies are empty soon after mid August.
The best time to visit a Puffin colony is in
the morning or early evening as most of the
birds are at the fishing grounds during the
day. During the incubation period Puffins
spend more time ashore, but the extent of
colony visits is variable, and although they
may be ashore for long periods of time there
may not be much activity.
Exciting behaviour will be sporadic - when a
pair may quarrel or a gull flies over causing the Puffins to take flight before landing again or to preen or sleep. During the chick rearing period (June to early August) the adults can often be seen bringing beakfulls of food to their young. An observer, sitting quitely at a good vantage point near a colony just before sunset, will be able to watch many different behaviour patterns, e.g. head jerking and bill tapping.
Where to watch
There are seven main Puffin colonies in the
shetlands including the outlying islands of
Fair Isle and Foula
Sumburgh Head
At the southern tip of mainland Shetland,
Sumburgh Head holds a colony of about 5,000
birds all breeding in the steep grassy banks
and cliffs leading up to the lighthouse. This is probably the easiest colony to visit as it is an R.S.P.B. reserve and there is a public road all the way to the lighthouse and ample parking facilities. This is a very ancient colony as Puffin bones are common in the ninth and tenth century dwellings at the
nearby Jarlshof Viking settlement.
How to get there
Take the main south road to Sumburgh Airport
but follow the road past the Airport turnoff. This road then leads all the way to the Sumburgh Lighthouse.
The Isle of Noss
Lying only a few hundred metres off the east
coast of Bressay (just across from the main
town of Lerwick), the Isle of Noss holds
about 2,000 pairs. They breed
around the grassy cliff tops, and in cracks
in the high cliffs of the isle, especially
around the Noup of Noss (the highest point).
How to get there
Take the inter-island car ferry from Lerwick
to Bressay. Cross Bressay (about 2 miles) to
the Scottish Natural Heritage landing stage
where the two annual wardens operate a Zodiac inflatable ferry service across the narrow sound. The island is only open for visitors between mid-May and the end of August but this is very weather dependant. Daily information relating to the crossing is displayed at the Lerwick to Bressay ferry
terminal.
Fetlar
One of the northerly islands, Fetlar holds a
population of about 1,500 Puffins almost all
of which breed in steep grassy banks and in
cracks in the cliffs. They are found all
around the higher parts of the island
although there are few large concentrations.
How to get there
Take the inter-island car ferry from Toft in
the north mainland to the island of Yell.
Travel north across Yell to the Gutcher ferry terminal and take the ferry to Fetlar. Prior booking is recommended as there are only 5 or 6 ferries per day to and from Fetlar. An R.S.P.B. warden is present on the island throughout the year and an interpretive centre is situated along the main road about 200 metres past the shop.
Hermaness
Hermaness, a National Nature Reserve on Unst, is the most northerly of the Shetland
islands. The colony of at least 50,000 pairs
of Puffins is scattered over several miles of boulder screes and heavily grazed steep
slopes along the west cliffs of the reserve.
This is one of the easiest colonies to walk
to and is quite spectacular.
How to get there
As with Fetlar, take the inter-island car
ferry from Toft to Yell and travel north to
the Gutcher ferry terminal. Take the ferry to Unst and travel north across Unst to
Hermaness which is at the very north-west tip of the island. A car park is situated at the entrance to the reserve and routes across the reserve to the cliffs are signposted. An S.N.H. summer warden resides at the shore station beside the car park, where there is also an interpretive centre.
Uyea
Situated near the tip of North Mainland in
the shadow of Ronas Hill (Shetlands highest
hill at 450m), the Isle of Uyea supports a
colony of around 1000 pairs of Puffins
nesting in burrows on the top of the isle and in cracks in the cliffs.
How to get there
Take the A970 to North Roe and walk 5 or 6 km west, either across the moorland or along the hilly north coastline. A very rough track starting just before the school at North Roe leads the way for about 2/3 of the distance but is only suitable for 4 wheel drive vehicles.
Foula
One of the most spectacular islands, Foula
boasts mile after mile of bird-covered
cliffs, and also Britains highest cliff - the Kame rising 1220 feet above sea level.
Puffins nest all along these spectacular west cliffs, in grassy banks and in cracks in the cliff face. Recent estimates suggest at least 50,000 pairs of Puffins nest on the
island.
How to get there
As isolated as it is (lying 14 miles from the nearest point in Shetland), the island can be reached by boat two or three times per week in the summer (weather permitting) from Scalloway (to the west of Lerwick), or by British Airways Express plane (run by
Loganair) from Tingwall airstrip (near
Lerwick) who operate at least three flights
per week. The island can also be day-tripped
during the summer months by flying.
Fair Isle
Lying mid-way between the Orkney and Shetland islands, Fair Isle supports around 25,000 pairs of Puffins nesting on the steep grassy slopes and in cracks in the cliffs virtually all round the island. This is one of the best places in Shetland to get very close to Puffins as there are several colonies on the easily accessible grassy banks around the island.
How to get there
A ferry service leaves Fair Isle for Grutness at Sumburgh twice per week and also from Lerwick once perweek in the summer, and
British Airways Express operate at least 5
flights per week to the isle from Tingwall
airstrip near Lerwick. As with Foula the
Island can also be day-tripped by flying.
Further Information
Puffin colonies are in steep grassy, often
slippery, slopes and in steep cliffs - please do not go near cliff edges without suitable footwear, especially in bad weather.
It is an offence under the Wildlife &
Countryside Act 1981 to intentionally disturb Puffins while they are building a nest, or are in or near a nest containing eggs or young. It is also an offence to disturb the dependant young (while they are in the burrow).
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