Puffins are seabirds that nest in colonies on coastal cliffs and offshore islands around the UK between April and July. Skomer Island, located off the coast of Pembrokeshire in Wales, is one of the best places to see puffins in their natural habitat during the breeding season. Around 10,000 puffin pairs nest on Skomer each year.
The best time to see puffins on Skomer Island depends on when the birds arrive to start nesting and what stage of their breeding cycle they are in. Puffins spend most of the year far out at sea, only coming to land to breed. They return to their colonies in spring, lay their eggs in early summer, and fledge their chicks in late summer before departing. Understanding this annual cycle is key to knowing when you’re most likely to spot puffins on a visit to Skomer.
When do puffins first arrive on Skomer Island?
Puffins typically begin returning to Skomer Island in early April. The first arrivals spend time socializing, finding mates, and re-establishing bonds. By mid-April, most active puffin burrows on the island will be occupied as the bulk of the colony returns. However, puffin activity is still quite low at this stage. Birds can be spotted rafting offshore, flying over the island, or standing at burrow entrances. But many are still out fishing and prospecting for nest sites.
Late April to early May is when puffins really start gearing up for breeding season. Courtship behavior peaks during this time. You may see puffins billing (rubbing their beaks together), display flying, or bringing nest materials. The birds become much more active on land as they prepare and clean out their burrows. By mid-May, most puffins will have paired up and laid their single egg for the season.
When is the best time to see puffins on Skomer Island?
June
The month of June is considered the prime puffin viewing period on Skomer Island. This is when adult puffins are most active provisioning their chicks, which hatch in late May or early June after an incubation period of around 6 weeks.
Both parents take turns flying out to sea, catching fish in their beaks, and returning to the colony to feed their demanding chicks. This frequent shuttling means more puffin flight traffic and activity on land during June. Standing on the cliff tops, you can watch streams of puffins commuting in and out of the island with beakfuls of fish.
June is also when puffins are at their most colorful with their bright orange bills and feet. And the pufflings (chicks) start emerging above ground near their burrow entrances, flapping their tiny wings in preparation for fledging. Towards the end of June, the pufflings will venture out of the burrows completely, making this a great time to see cute fuzzy puffin chicks teetering around the colony.
July
Puffin activity remains high during July as the adults continue provisioning their fast-growing chicks. The pufflings are now quite large, around 3/4 the size of the adults. Their juvenile plumage starts coming in, replacing their downy fur. By mid-July, the first pufflings will fledge and take their perilous maiden flight out to sea. Most will have fledged by early August.
July offers the added advantage of more favorable weather and lighting conditions for photography. And the puffins may be easier to approach now that they are accustomed to visitors. But the total number of puffins starts decreasing a bit in July as some adults leave after their chick fledges. The colony also gets more chaotic as the pufflings wander and beg food from random adults.
What is the best time of day to see puffins?
Early morning and early evening are typically the best times for puffin viewing and photography. The birds are most active flying to and from their burrows during these periods as they head out to fish or return with food for their chicks. The soft, golden light is also ideal for capturing photos of puffins in flight or posing on the clifftops.
The middle part of the day is when puffins are least active. Most will be incubating eggs or sheltering in their burrows away from predators. Some may be rafting on the sea to rest. There’s much less puffin action to observe during the brightest, harshest light between about 10am and 4pm.
However, dedicated puffin fans may want to spend a whole day on Skomer to enjoy different experiences. In the morning, you can photograph puffins flying against a glowing sunrise backdrop. At midday, wander around seeing puffins up close as they rest and preen. And in the evening, watch puffins return to the colony en masse.
What are the best viewing spots on Skomer Island?
Some of the top places from which to observe puffins on Skomer include:
Location | Highlights |
---|---|
The Wick | A clifftop viewing platform overlooking one of the largest puffin colonies, with about 10,000 pairs. Fantastic opportunities to see puffins up close flying to and from their burrows with beakfuls of fish. |
North Haven | Offers stunning views over another major puffin colony. A sight to behold when hundreds of puffins fly out to sea in the mornings. |
Garland Stone | A picturesque natural rock arch with puffins nesting in burrows beneath. Allows photographers to capture puffins flying in and around the arch. |
The Neck | A narrow isthmus connecting Skomer to the neighboring island of Midland. Puffins nest in the steep rocky slopes here. |
South Castle | This southern headland has a puffin colony and fantastic coastal scenery. |
These prime puffin viewing spots tend to get crowded during peak season. So it’s best to arrive early in the morning before the day trippers from the mainland. Avoiding weekends and public holidays will also make for a quieter, more rewarding puffin watching experience on Skomer.
How can you get to see puffins on Skomer Island?
Skomer Island is managed as a nature reserve by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Visiting requires advanced booking for either a day trip or staying overnight in limited accommodation. No more than 250 visitors per day are allowed.
Day trips depart from Martin’s Haven on the mainland between April and October. After a short boat ride, you arrive on the island for around 6 hours to explore the puffin colonies and other wildlife. Boats leave in the morning, allowing you to view puffins during their peak activity periods.
For a more immersive puffin experience, you can stay in the island’s basic hostel or camping area. A warden is on site to provide information and guide nighttime puffin watching. Self-catering supplies must be brought over on the boat.
During the nesting season, visitors are asked to stick to defined paths and avoid approaching burrows too closely to minimize disturbance. Skomer’s easily accessible puffin colonies make it possible to observe these captivating seabirds up close in a responsible manner.
Conclusion
The best opportunities to see puffins on Skomer Island are from mid-May to early August, with June and July being prime puffin viewing months. Schedule your visit to coincide with when the puffins are most active provisioning chicks, typically in the early morning and evening hours. Be sure to book your trip well in advance and check tide times. Then prepare your camera and binoculars for an unforgettable chance to observe puffins in their natural habitat along the Welsh coast.