Puffins are one of the UK’s most loved seabirds — and East Yorkshire is one of the best places in the country to see them up close! Each year, between April and mid-July, thousands of puffins return to East Yorkshire’s dramatic cliffs for nesting season, especially around Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just looking for a lovely day out surrounded by nature, a trip to see the puffins in East Yorkshire is an unforgettable experience.
But how much do you really know about these colourful coastal visitors? Here are 10 fascinating puffin facts you probably didn’t know – perfect for impressing your loved ones while out spotting them!
1. Puffins can carry lots of fish at once
Puffins have specially adapted beaks that allow them to carry up to 10 small fish at a time, often sand eels or sprats. Their tongue and spines inside the beak help keep the fish in place while they continue hunting – a clever design that makes feeding their pufflings quick and efficient.
2. Puffins are lightning-fast fliers
With their chunky bodies and short wings, puffins might look clumsy – but don’t be fooled. They can reach speeds of over 50 miles per hour, flapping their wings up to 400 times per minute. No wonder they can be a little tricky to spot as they zip along the East Yorkshire coast!
3. Puffins stay loyal – to their mate and their nest
Puffins are monogamous and often mate for life, returning to the same nesting burrow year after year. When they reunite for the breeding season, they perform a special ritual called billing – gently rubbing their beaks together in what looks like a puffin kiss. We know, adorable!
4. Their beaks actually glow under UV light
It might sound like something out of science fiction, but it’s true — puffin beaks glow under ultraviolet (UV) light. Scientists believe it’s all part of the puffin’s impressive toolkit for attracting a mate. Birds can see a wider range of light than humans — including ultraviolet — so while we see a puffin’s beak as bright orange and red, their potential mate sees an even more dazzling display.
5. They’re often called ‘sea parrots’ or ‘clowns of the sea’
With their bright beaks, waddling walk, and expressive eyes, puffins have earned some adorable nicknames. While they’re affectionately called ‘sea parrots’ due to their colourful bills, others refer to them as the ‘clowns of the sea’ because of their playful nature.
6. Baby puffins are called ‘pufflings’
Could there be a cuter name? Puffin chicks are known as pufflings, and they stay safely hidden in their burrows while both parents work hard to feed them. As the season progresses, keep an eye out for parents flying back and forth with beaks full of fish to feed their little ones.
7. Puffins spend most of the year at sea
While we see puffins on our cliffs during spring and early summer, they actually spend around eight months of the year far out at sea. They live a solitary, ocean-going life, returning to land only to breed. This is one of the things which makes visiting East Yorkshire’s puffin colonies during the short nesting season such a special experience!
8. They’re skilled swimmers
Puffins use their wings like flippers to dive underwater and catch fish – often plunging to depths of up to 60 metres. Their webbed feet act like rudders, making them agile and efficient hunters beneath the waves. Who knew?
9. Their bright beaks are only temporary
That vibrant orange beak is part of the puffin’s breeding plumage. Once the season ends, puffins shed the colourful outer layers of their beaks, revealing a smaller, duller version. So, if you want to see puffins at their most colourful, visiting East Yorkshire between April and July is a must!
10. Puffins are facing threats – but we can help
Puffins are now listed as vulnerable to extinction, with climate change, overfishing, and pollution all playing a role. Thankfully, places like RSPB Bempton Cliffs are working tirelessly to protect puffin populations and their habitats. Every visit, donation, or membership helps support vital conservation efforts – so you can enjoy the puffins today while helping safeguard their future.
Where to see puffins in East Yorkshire
The best time to see puffins in East Yorkshire is between April and mid-July, during the nesting season.
RSPB Bempton Cliffs is one of the UK’s top puffin-watching spots. With accessible paths, viewing platforms, and a friendly visitor centre, it’s perfect for families and wildlife lovers. Puffins nest alongside thousands of gannets, razorbills, and guillemots and you can hire binoculars to get a better look or take part in puffin walks and seabird cruises to learn more about them.
Flamborough is another excellent place to combine puffin watching with coastal walks, lighthouses, and stunning sea views. Head to Flamborough Head, Thornwick Bay or the cliffs around North Landing for a quieter (but equally puffin-rich!) experience. And don’t forget the Yorkshire Puffin Festival which takes place in Flamborough each June, with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust offering expert-led guided walks, boat trips and more!