Puffins in Shetland
About
the Puffin
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.
Puffins
nest in burrows (which they usually 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 Puffin 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 beaks full of food to their young. An observer,
sitting quietly 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 Puffin watch
There are
seven main Puffin colonies in Shetland 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 RSPB 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 of
Puffins. 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 3.5km) 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 RSPB 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 SNH. 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 (Shetland's
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 Britain's highest cliff - the Kame rising over 400m 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 23km 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 per week 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.
Photo right - leucistic Puffin on the west cliffs of Fair Isle - Kevin
Osborn
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).
Nature in Shetland
