I thought readers and fellow birdwatchers might appreciate this remarkable photographs of an unusual “alliance” between a puffin and a kittiwake, which was taken at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, near Bridlington, last week.

My wife, Madelaine, spotted them first and I asked a visiting photographer to take these shots on our behalf.

Talking to the RSPB and other ornithological authorities, the consensus was that the kittiwake may have lost its mate or eggs and was consoling itself with the puffin.

There was obviously a curious bond there because the kittiwake was fending off any other intruder to their rocky outcrop.

Ian Dewar, Middleton-on-the-Wolds