A larger-than-ever weekend of fun is promised with the return of the Yorkshire Puffin Festival to the east coast.
The spectacular Flamborough Cliffs nature reserve, north of Bridlington, forms the backdrop of activities, all geared to enjoying the region’s own visiting “sea parrots”. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s (YWT) annual puffin event is back for a seventh year and will include puffin-watching; a range of wildlife walks; boat trips; workshops on how to photograph puffins and other wildlife; activities run by The Deep, a range of wellbeing sessions and more.
The event takes place over the weekend of June 7 and 8. David Craven, east regional manager for YWT, said: “The return of puffins to Flamborough Cliffs is one of my favourite times of year, and a spectacle I think everyone should enjoy at least once.
“They’re such characterful birds with their bright beaks and tuxedo-like markings, whizzing to and from the cliffs, such a joyous sight to see – and a fantastic and accessible way to get into wildlife-watching more broadly. Our events programme at Puffin Festival this year is the biggest yet, and we are delighted that so many organisations are coming together to help us celebrate our amazing Yorkshire seabirds – and to give them the vital support they need.”
The warming of the North Sea through climate change means puffins are having to travel further afield to find sand eels, their main food source. Although the colony at Flamborough is said to be holding steady, Mr Craven said: “It is only a matter of time, if things don’t change, before we start to see our puffins struggling.
“These wonderful birds need our help, through protection of their fishing grounds and food supply to their fragile marine habitat, so we’ll be helping people to find out how to take action over the weekend too.” Children can enjoy meeting Cliff, the giant cuddly puffin mascot, making puffin puppets and storytelling sessions.
The cliffs from Filey to Bridlington are home to the largest mainland seabird breeding colony in the UK, including 3,000 puffins. June is the perfect time to see puffins on the cliffs, accessible just a short walk along a clifftop path from North Landing, as they return from a winter at sea, find their lifelong mate and stay for just a few weeks to raise their puffling – a baby puffin.
(Image: O’Hara Photography)
Some activities, including the boat trips, require pre-booking, but there will be lots happening to drop-in or book on the day. The festival Puffin HQ to find out more will be based at North Landing, where parking and refreshments are also available.
Information is also available on YWT’s webpage including details for booking. If you cannot get to the coast for the Yorkshire Puffin Festival, there is plenty to enjoy online at ywt.org.uk/puffin-festival where you can also become a Puffin Protector.
Download your free pack full of puffin facts, activities to do at home, advice on where to see them, puffin-themed gifts and competitions, and actions to protect puffins.