Puffins on the Isle of May
Puffin
Fratercula arctica (Atlantic puffin)
Often called the ‘clown of the sea’ the puffin is an unmistakable seabird with a black back and white underparts, distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and brightly-coloured bill. Their comical appearance is heightened by red and black eye markings and bright orange legs.
Breeding
They prefer islands where they mostly nest in burrows which they usually excavate themselves but they may also nest under rocks and scree or in cracks on cliffs: these are called puffinries. They lay one egg and their young are called pufflings. After hatching the young puffin remains underground concealed in the nest, until the night comes for it to head for the open sea, not to return until it is ready to breed, usually some 5 years later.
Winter
Spent at sea, some fly as far as the Bay of Biscay.
Eat
Fish, especially sandeels.
Sound
A growling laugh.
Spot them
Adults arrive back at the breeding colonies in March and April and leave again in early-August. You’ll see them on the Isle of May, Fidra, Craigleith and occasionally in the stone walls of the historic ramparts on the Bass Rock. A group of puffins is called a circus.
Puffin facts
Eggs 1
Incubation 36-45 days
Fledging 34-60 days
Maximum lifespan 29 years
Length 26-29cm
Wingspan 47-63cm
Weight 320-480g
Population in the Firth of Forth55,000 apparently occupied burrows
Scottish Seabird Centre
The Isle Of May - Beneath The Waves
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J50DdgIvewU
Please right click the link and open in a new tab. Thank you !
Rollingstone1's most interesting photos on Flickriver
© All rights reserved. Use without permission is illegal
Puffins on the Isle of May
Puffin
Fratercula arctica (Atlantic puffin)
Often called the ‘clown of the sea’ the puffin is an unmistakable seabird with a black back and white underparts, distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and brightly-coloured bill. Their comical appearance is heightened by red and black eye markings and bright orange legs.
Breeding
They prefer islands where they mostly nest in burrows which they usually excavate themselves but they may also nest under rocks and scree or in cracks on cliffs: these are called puffinries. They lay one egg and their young are called pufflings. After hatching the young puffin remains underground concealed in the nest, until the night comes for it to head for the open sea, not to return until it is ready to breed, usually some 5 years later.
Winter
Spent at sea, some fly as far as the Bay of Biscay.
Eat
Fish, especially sandeels.
Sound
A growling laugh.
Spot them
Adults arrive back at the breeding colonies in March and April and leave again in early-August. You’ll see them on the Isle of May, Fidra, Craigleith and occasionally in the stone walls of the historic ramparts on the Bass Rock. A group of puffins is called a circus.
Puffin facts
Eggs 1
Incubation 36-45 days
Fledging 34-60 days
Maximum lifespan 29 years
Length 26-29cm
Wingspan 47-63cm
Weight 320-480g
Population in the Firth of Forth55,000 apparently occupied burrows
Scottish Seabird Centre
The Isle Of May - Beneath The Waves
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J50DdgIvewU
Please right click the link and open in a new tab. Thank you !
Rollingstone1's most interesting photos on Flickriver
© All rights reserved. Use without permission is illegal