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Puffin festival to celebrate 'seabird city'

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Mark Caunt A puffin which is white and black with yellow feet has its wings outstretched and is in mid-flight. Other puffins can be seen resting on rocks below. The background is blurred and green.Mark Caunt
Flamborough cliffs are home to one of the largest mainland puffin colonies in the UK

The Yorkshire Puffin Festival is to return to Flamborough cliffs with two days of events.

A range of activities on 6 and 7 June will include boat trips, guided clifftop walks, a chance to experience the dawn chorus and craft workshops at Flamborough village hall.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) said the cliffs were home to the largest mainland seabird breeding colony in the UK, including 3,000 puffins.

David Craven, of the trust, said: "We know that wildlife watching experiences mean the world to people and we love any opportunity to make these as accessible as possible."

Caroline Thorogood A landscape shot at the top of grassy and white cliffs overlooking a beach area and sea. Two small boats can be seen on the sand.Caroline Thorogood
The puffin colony can be seen via a short walk along a clifftop path from North Landing

It is one of the few places where puffins can be seen without the need to board a boat.

The puffins have returned to the cliffs, near North Landing, to raise chicks, known as pufflings.

Craven said: "I look forward to the return of our puffins every year. They're so characterful and brightly coloured that they really look like they ought to live somewhere much warmer and more tropical.

"They're endlessly fascinating to watch as they whizz to and from the cliffs."

Bren O'Hara A puffin costume which is black and white with big orange feet and a red and purple beak has its black wings outstretched for the camera and is wearing a blue Yorkshire Wildlife Trust top. Behind is a car park and small one floor building with people wandering about.Bren O'Hara
Cliff the puffin will be ready to greet visitors at the festival

The Puffin Festival is in its eighth year. Highlights include:

  • Seabird city at dawn (6 June): Guided walk to discover the birds of the dawn chorus and spot the barn owls. Meet outside the North Landing Cafe at 06:15 BST
  • Seabird city at dusk (6 June): Guided walk to explore Flamborough Cliffs. Meet outside the North Landing Cafe and Beachside shop at 18:45
  • Flamborough wildlife cruise (both days): Set sail from North Landing beach on a fishing coble. Meet outside the Boathouse Burger and Grill at North Landing with boat trips from 11:00, 12:30 and 14:00
  • Expert-led clifftop guided walks at various times

YWT said booking was essential for some of the activities, including the boat trips.

Visitors will be able to park at Flamborough's North Landing car park, which is 6 miles (10km) north-east of Bridlington.

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