THE UK’s only mainland colony of puffins is returning to the Yorkshire coast for the breeding season.
The Atlantic puffins, which can be found at the seabird colonies of the Flamborough headland, will be nesting at the site across May and June.
Anthony Hurd, centre manager for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Flamborough Cliffs Nature Reserve, said that now is the best time to go and observe the puffins.
He said: “A couple of behaviours to look out for include ‘billing’ where a male and female breeding pair will gently rub their beaks together.
“At the other end of the scale an aggressive behaviour is very obvious and begins with ‘gaping’ where the aggressor will open its beak very wide and puff itself out to appear bigger.”
Visitors can walk along the cliff tops from North Landing beach on to the trust’s Flamborough Cliffs nature reserve and join the trust’s expert volunteers. From 1pm to 4pm on May 28, June 4 and June 11, volunteers will be on hand to guide observers.
These events are free, but subject to the weather.
For more details visit ywt.org.uk
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