Are you looking for the best locations to photograph Puffins in the UK? Britain is home to a variety of wildlife, including the beloved puffin. These colourful birds are known for their distinctive beak and black and white plumage and are all around the UK coast between April – August.
They are a favourite among photographers and birdwatchers alike, and I have travelled to various locations throughout the years to capture these beautiful sea birds. Here are some of the best places to photograph puffins in the UK:
The Farne Islands: The Farne Islands, located off the coast of Northumberland, England, are widely considered to be the best location to photograph puffins in the UK. The islands are home to one of the largest colonies of Atlantic puffins in the country, making them a prime location for birdwatchers and photographers alike.
The Farne Islands are a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means that the puffins and other wildlife on the islands are protected and can be approached without disturbance. The islands are only accessible by boat, and boat trips are available during the breeding season of the puffins, usually from April to August, which provide excellent opportunities for close-up photography.
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The islands also offer stunning views of the coast, the North Sea and the surrounding islands, making it an ideal location for landscape photography as well. The islands’ remote location and limited human impact make them an ideal place for wildlife photography, and the puffins in particular, as the birds feel less disturbed and can be observed and photographed in their natural habitat.
The Farne Islands also provides guided tours with knowledgeable wardens that can help visitors to identify and approach the puffins in a safe and responsible way. Additionally, the Farne Islands boast one of the largest puffin colonies in the UK, and the birds are particularly approachable, making it an ideal location for close-up photography.
Skomer Island: Skomer Island, located off the coast of Pembrokeshire, Wales, is a great place to photograph puffins. The island is home to one of the largest colonies of puffins in Wales and the UK, making it a prime location for birdwatchers and photographers alike.
Skomer Island is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means that the puffins and other wildlife on the island are protected and can be approached without disturbance. The island is only accessible by boat, and boat trips are available during the breeding season of the puffins, usually from April to August, which provide excellent opportunities for close-up photography.
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The island also offers stunning views of the coast, the Irish Sea, and the surrounding islands, making it an ideal location for landscape photography as well. The island’s remote location and limited human impact make it an ideal place for wildlife photography, and the puffins in particular, as the birds feel less disturbed and can be observed and photographed in their natural habitat.
Skomer also provides guided tours with knowledgeable wardens that can help visitors to identify and approach the puffins in a safe and responsible way.
St. Kilda: This archipelago, located off the west coast of Scotland, is home to a large colony of puffins. The islands are also known for their rugged landscapes and offer a unique opportunity for photographers to capture puffins in a unique and remote setting.
Lundy Island: Lundy Island, located off the coast of Devon in England, is a great place to photograph puffins. The island is home to a large colony of puffins, making it a prime location for birdwatchers and photographers alike. One of the main advantages of Lundy as a photography location is its accessibility.
The island can be reached by boat, and there are several boat trips that run from the mainland during the breeding season of the puffins, usually from May to July, which provide excellent opportunities for close-up photography. Additionally, Lundy is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means that the puffins and other wildlife on the island are protected and can be approached without disturbance.
The island also offers stunning views of the coast and the Atlantic Ocean, making it an ideal location for landscape photography as well.
Bardsey Island: Bardsey Island, also known as Ynys Enlli, located off the coast of Gwynedd, Wales is a great place to photograph puffins. The island is home to one of the largest colonies of puffins in Wales and the UK, making it a prime location for birdwatchers and photographers alike.
Bardsey Island is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means that the puffins and other wildlife on the island are protected and can be approached without disturbance. The island is only accessible by boat, and boat trips are available during the breeding season of the puffins, usually from May to July, which provide excellent opportunities for close-up photography.
The island also offers stunning views of the coast, the Irish Sea, and the Lleyn Peninsula, making it an ideal location for landscape photography as well. The island’s remote location and limited human impact make it an ideal place for wildlife photography, and the puffins in particular, as the birds feel less disturbed and can be observed and photographed in their natural habitat.
Fair Isle: Fair Isle, located between Orkney and Shetland in Scotland, is a wonderful place to photograph puffins. The island is home to a large colony of puffins, making it a prime location for birdwatchers and photographers alike. Fair Isle is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means that the puffins and other wildlife on the island are protected and can be approached without disturbance.
The island is only accessible by boat or plane, and the best time to visit is during the breeding season of the puffins, usually from April to August, which provides excellent opportunities for close-up photography. The island also offers stunning views of the coast, the North Sea, and the surrounding islands, making it an ideal location for landscape photography as well.
The island’s remote location and limited human impact make it an ideal place for wildlife photography, and the puffins in particular, as the birds feel less disturbed and can be observed and photographed in their natural habitat. Additionally, Fair Isle is known for its rich birdlife, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and photographers, it’s also considered as one of the best places in the UK to see rare bird species.
These are my top places to photograph puffins in Britain, but there are many other worth visiting around the edges of the UK. Each location offers unique opportunities for photographers to capture these beloved birds in their natural habitat. From remote islands to coastal reserves, Britain is a great destination for puffin photography. It’s important to note that puffins are migratory birds and their presence and accessibility may vary depending on the time of the year.