Can anyone advise when the nesting seabirds return to the following areas of Scotland? I realize things vary from year to year depending on the seasons and how they play out, but an approximate date and/or time frame would be greatly appreciated. Last year, when I travelled out to the Isle of May on the fourth of May, the Puffins and other coastal birds were there in full force. Thanks in advance for any advice.

1] Bass Rock, near North Berwick
2] Cliffs around St Abb's Head
3] East Neuk - Isle of May

You need Sheila on this. She is a birder. (and a bird... couldn't resist!)

abbey,

Have you thought about asking the Scottish Seabird Centre for this information?

http://www.seabird.org/

Jim

June/July is nesting time. You'll not be disappointed if you visit during that sort of time.

Mid May to late July would be best for what you're seeking for sure.

Other ggod places to look are the cliffs at Crawton south of Stonehaven; the Bullers of Buchan and Hoy on Orkney

All the places you mention are great -- but I <b>must</b> second the suggestion of the Bullers of Buchan. The sight is absolutely amazing. Walking around the foaming cauldron w/ the sea crashing in at the bottom and the walls covered w/ nests.

Great information ... thanks everyone! Checked the Scottish Seabird Center, but found the best information on the National Trust Scotland site regarding Breeding Seabird time frames:

1]Gannets - mid April to May
2]Petrels / Shearwater - May to July
3]Gulls: Herring Gulls, Lesser Black Backed Gulls &amp; Greater Black Backed Gulls - mid May to June
4]Cormorants: Great Cormorant and European Shag - mid March to mid June
5]Auks: Razorbills, Common and Black Guillemots, and Atlantic Puffin - mid April to mid June
6]Arctic Skua - breed mid April - June
7]Arctic &amp; Common Tern - May to mid July

Abbey,
Sorry for not replying to your question on another thread.
The places you mentioined are best known for cliff nesting birds - gannet, cormorant, shag, fulmar, razorbill, guilliemot and puffin. Tern nesting grounds are usually on stony beaches where human visitors can cause distress.
I've never noticed much nesting activity by skuas along the Fife / East Lothain coast, I think they usually nest further north in Orkney. I do sometimes see Arctic Skuas from the coast between Leven and St Andrews but I don't think they nest here in big numbers.
I wonder how many visitors to St Andrews are aware of the numbers of Fulmars nesting on the cliffs between the harbour and the sea life centre?

I would wholly concur with Craigellachie about the Skuas. If you want to see Skuas (and who wouldn't?) you'll need to be at least as far north as Orkney in the breeding season.

You could expect to see them on passage offshore from about the end of August to the middle of October on the mainland.

I've seen skuas on North Uist. By their behaviour - a pair, dive bombing us - I believe they were nesting.They call them bonxies there.

Technically Bonxy is a Shetland colloquial name for Great Skua.

If you want details on breeding grounds, this is probably the best place to get them:-http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3120-theme=textonly