Puffins spotted in East Lothian for the first time this year

Experts said the first sighting is a hopeful reminder that the seabird breeding season is about to begin, particularly after a rough and stormy winter that saw thousands of dead puffins washing up on coastlines around Europe.

The Forth is an important site for seabirds, with the Isle of May being home to the largest colony of breeding puffins on the East Coast of Scotland. The recent sighting was captured on live cameras close to Craigleith island – an area that has seen a recent boost in breeding pairs thanks to the SOS Puffin project.

Led by the Scottish Seabird Centre, and in partnership with RSPB and the Lothian Sea Kayak Club, the award-winning project has been taking volunteer work parties onto the islands of Craigleith, the Lamb and Fidra in the Firth of Forth for the nearly two decades.

Puffins have been spotted returning to islands in the Firth of Forth for the first time this year. | Jamie McDermaid

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The work parties remove invasive plants which can prevent puffins from reaching their nesting burrows. The transformative work has seen around 5,000 breeding pairs on Craigleith island alone, marking a great conservation success. But the Scottish Seabird Centre said it remains to be seen how these populations have fared over the winter months.

Emily Burton, conservation manager for the Scottish Seabird Centre’s, said: “I’m delighted that the first puffins of the year have now been spotted around Craigleith. These birds are joyful to see, and we certainly don’t take their presence here for granted given the many threats that seabirds currently face.”

“The race is now on for our conservation team and brilliant volunteers to make sure that the islands are in good shape for returning seabirds, removing litter and invasive plants before the busy breeding season begins.”

“We’ll also be undertaking puffin burrow counts this year, which will give us a clearer picture of how populations in the Forth are faring. This will be particularly important given the number of dead birds that washed up along the coast this winter, causing widespread concern for this iconic species.”

“We hope that, in the face of mounting pressures on seabirds, people will come together this summer to celebrate these remarkable birds, while also recognising the immediate need to protect them. Without urgent action to protect our seas, we risk losing incredible birds like puffins from our coasts forever.”

A range of boat trips for visitors to experience the delightful antics of the Firth of Forth's puffins will be available from March 28. For more information you can visit the Scottish Seabird Centre’s website.