Puffins in Scotland in August
 

Good afternoon

Has anyone had luck seeing Puffins in August and if so, where?

From some online dabbling it looks like summer is the only time to see them.

The Firth of Forth apparently is a decent place to look. The other locations look beautiful but I might only have two days after Edinburgh and it might be a bit far to drive. We will see.

thank you for any thoughts.

ps. any info on boat trips you have done in the area for puffin watching would be interesting to hear too.

Isle of May - absolutely. The best of the season runs from about April to mid-August. Boats from Anstruther harbor.

The Isle of May is a fabulous day trip -- you get about 2.5 or 3 hours on the island. Lots of other sea birds, three light houses, etc.

Plus in Anstruther, the Scottish Fisheries museum just across from where you catch the boats is really fascinating.

Puffins leave the land in mid August, you need to make it as early as possible. Orkney has a few colonies, one just a short ferry ride from Kirkwall.

Orkney is great -- but Anstruther would be more practical since it is very close to Edinburgh and they only have two days.

You are right -- they will be pretty much gone by the end of the month.

Thank you Janis and Bilboburgler

I contacted the Seabird Centre and they enlisted the advice of another birding center - apparently this year the breeding season has been later which gives me a good chance to see them! And then the rep told me she'd leave me a complimentary boat ticket for when I arrive.

Sweet!