Every year a breeding colony of Atlantic Puffin seabirds (previously known as Common Puffins) returns to the North Cornwall coast in England, UK to nest and breed on ‘Mouls Island’ (also known as ‘Puffin Island’) and the cliffs of ‘The Rumps’ which are situated within a short distance from Padstow, Rock and Polzeath on the North Cornish coast.
They usually arrive in late March to Mid April before heading back to the open sea in late July/August after breeding. Adult Puffins usually stick to the same mate and nest in deep ‘rabbit-like’ burrows and tend to use the same burrows if they can. Once they arrive they locate their old burrow and set about cleaning it out. If they find another pair of Puffins that have claimed their old burrow they have to waddle off and dig out a new burrow using their powerful beaks to dig and their webbed feet to shovel out the soil.
Puffins lay a single egg and after approximately 40 days of incubation give birth to a single chick known as a ‘Puffling’. Then for approximately a further 40 days the Puffin parents take it in turns to rear, feed, and nurture the chick until it is ready to emerge from the burrow.
Atlantic Puffins are just one example of the sea-based rich wildlife you can see in this beautiful part of Cornwall. Other wildlife species you may see are:
- Basking Sharks
- Grey Seals
- Dolphins
- Porpoises
- Seabirds such as:
- Gulls, Razorbills, Shearwaters, Petrels, Fulmars, Gannets, Cormorants, and many more
Mouls Island, Cornwall | Puffin Video
I shot this short video of the Mouls Island Atlantic Puffins in June 2022. I sat around for hours before I spotted them and managed to film them.
If you enjoy my video please don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to my channel.
Cheers, JV
VISIT JVSCORNWALL YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE VIDEOS
Questions & Answers About Puffins
What Is The Best Time To See Puffins In Cornwall?
The best time to see Puffins in Cornwall is between April and late July with the peak breeding season being in May and June
What Is The Best Way To See The puffins?
If you have a very long lens camera like me you can perch yourself on the cliffs of The Rumps and film and photograph them on Mouls Island and the surrounding sea (if you are lucky to spot them) where they fish and preen themselves.
Probably the best way to see the Puffins up close and personal is by taking a boat trip that is available from Padstow, Rock, and Polzeath.
What Do Puffins Eat?
Puffins eat small fish such as herring, sand eels, and hake. Puffins are capable of cramming several small fish and eels in their beak at one time.
Where Else Can You See Puffins In Cornwall?
There is one other colony of breeding Atlantic Puffins in The Isles Of Scilly which are situated about 30 miles off the Cornish coast at Lands End.
What Are Puffins Also Known As?
Common Puffin, Sea Parrot, and Clowns Of The Sea (due to their brightly-coloured bills) are alternative names for Puffins.
What Is The Scientific Name For Puffins?
The puffin’s scientific name is Fratercula Arctica. This dates back to the 1800s. This translates to “little brother of the north” in Latin.
Where Else Can I See Puffins In The UK?
You can find other Puffin breeding colonies on the Isles Of Scilly (about 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall), Skomer Island off the coast of Pembrokeshire, Wales, and the Farne Islands off Northumberland, Lundy Island off the coast of Devon. Puffins can also be seen at a number of locations around the Scottish coast, including the Isle of May, Fidra, Craigleith, St Kilda, Orkney and Shetland