Article Source: Frame Agency
Last Updated: 5 June 2017 15:34
Puffin season has begun at the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick. Visitors to the 5-star Centre have the opportunity to control the interactive cameras to zoom in on the live puffin action on the islands of Craigleith, Fidra and the Isle of May National Nature Reserve. It’s also possible to see the amazing ‘clowns of the sea’ with a range of boat trips that take in the local islands.
The Isle of May is the largest puffin colony on the east coast of Britain with approx. 92,000 puffins calling the island home from April to early August. Craigleith and Fidra feature as part of the Seabird Centre’s SOS Puffin Project, which has been running for 10 years and has seen over 1,100 volunteers getting involved to help puffins gain access to their burrows by cutting down the tree mallow.
This year, younger visitors to the Seabird Centre have the chance to visit for free: those who present a ‘puffin portrait’ at the admissions desk will be awarded with a Discovery Centre ticket for their artistic efforts. Each puffin portrait should feature a drawing of the child with a puffin, articulated in any artistic medium.
Alex Turnbull, Discovery Centre Manager, said: “With the Firth of Forth being home to tens of thousands of puffins between April and early August and with the Isle of May being the largest puffin colony on the east coast of Britain, North Berwick is the ideal location for puffin spotting.
“Visitors of all ages love zooming in on the puffins on our interactive live cameras and to see them when out on our Seabird Catamaran Cruise, Three Islands Seabird Seafari or Isle of May Landing is really quite special.
“We are looking forward to seeing lots of ‘puffin portraits’ which will be displayed around the Discovery Centre for other visitors to see.”
Admission to the Discovery Centre: £8.95 per adult, £4.95 per child, £25 per family. Open every day, except Christmas Day.
Puffin facts
• Fratercula arctica (Atlantic puffin)
• Often called the clown of the sea, the puffin is an unmistakable seabird with its black back and white underparts, distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and brightly-coloured bill. Its comical appearance is heightened by its red and black eye markings and bright orange legs.
• Breeding: They prefer offshore islands and high sea cliffs, and nest in burrows, under boulders or in cracks in cliffs where predators cannot easily reach them: these are called puffinries. They lay one egg and their young are called pufflings. After hatching the young puffin remains underground concealed in the nest, until the night comes for it to head for the open sea, not to return until it is ready to breed, usually some five years later.
• Winter: Spent at sea.
• Eat: Fish, especially sandeels.
• Sound: A growling laugh.
• Spot them: Adults arrive back at the breeding colony in March and April and leave again in mid-August. You’ll see them on the Isle of May, Fidra and Craigleith cameras at the Scottish Seabird Centre.
Photo Credit: Laurie Campbell
Elaine C. Smith will play the role of The Childcatcher in the new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when it comes to Edinburgh Playhouse!
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORESip & Bark, a vibrant dog-friendly brunch spot, is delighted to announce its grand opening next month in Raeburn Place, Stockbridge.
READ MORECome along to the Palace of Holyroodhouse this Easter for a range of family activities! £1 Gallery tickets will also be available to those receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits
READ MOREThis August, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will welcome guests from around the world to experience its new Show, Journeys.
READ MORELooking for an egg-stravagnza this Easter weekend? St James Quarter is giving guests the chance to win a host of foodie prizes, plus enjoy a basketful of family fun in the Quarter.
READ MOREFrom Easter Brunch to Kids Easter Egg Hunt, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy this Spring at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh!
READ MORETo marks World Theatre Day, Edinburgh Playhouse is highlighting the wonderful Creative Learning projects and initiatives that they have launched since Katie Mitchell was appointed in September 2023.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREVisitors to Edinburgh’s Bonnie & Wild are in for a sweet treat during the Easter holidays as the popular Food Hall hosts an exclusive pop-up with renowned local bakery Kilted Donut.
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREMulti-platinum selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor, Matt Cardle, will play the role of Shakespeare in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of & Juliet.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREFayre Play Edinburgh is gearing up to celebrate its first birthday in style by giving away £1000 worth of prizes through an exciting city-wide Duck Hunt this Easter!
READ MOREJudy Murray OBE will start the third annual Corgi Derby – the popular “four-legged sprint with a difference” that kicks off The Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday at Musselburgh Racecourse.
READ MOREGusto Italian invites guests to celebrate their bank holiday with a bottomless brunch and an Easter egg hunt.
READ MOREWATTSHOT, the premium shot company, has landed in Edinburgh with the first ever gin designed to be drunk as a shot!
READ MOREOn Saturday 30th March, start your Easter Weekend right by fuelling up on Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh's all-time breakfast favourites, featuring a complementary visit from the Easter Bunny.
READ MOREA sword made for George IV’s historic visit to Edinburgh and other rare surviving items of Georgian clothing are among almost 100 works from the Royal Collection that go on show from today.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MORESix by Nico's upcoming menu promises to take guests on a quintessential New York gastronomic excursion.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MORETwo neighbourhood restaurants - Fhior on Broughton Street and Pomelo from Sciennes Road - are teaming up on Sunday 21st April to bring a fusion of their cuisines to Edinburgh city centre.
READ MOREAward-winning performance Pain and I by Sarah Hopfinger, about living with chronic pain, and moving with care, returns to tour Scotland.
READ MORETheatre lovers have a lot to celebrate this World Theatre Day (27 March), with Vue screening some of the UK’s best stage productions throughout spring.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh International Children’s Festival launched its programme today, with an exciting line up of performances.
READ MORETaste & Tour have announced their expansion into Scotland, initially offering public tours in Edinburgh and corporate experiences across the central belt.
READ MORE