The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is eagerly anticipating its fifth annual Puffin Festival at Flamborough Cliffs on Saturday, 1st June, and Sunday, 2nd June. This event is dedicated to celebrating and protecting one of Britain’s most cherished seabirds, the puffin, with a range of engaging activities for all ages.
Visitors to North Landing at Flamborough can partake in various activities. Clifftop puffin watching with expert spotters, guided walks, and a magical dusk walk to potentially see barn owls are among the highlights. Traditional fishing coble boat trips will offer a unique perspective on the rugged coastline and its seabirds.
Participants can also contribute to a Craftivism Art Mural using marine plastic litter collected from Yorkshire’s beaches, or create collages of puffins, gannets, or shags from recycled materials. Storytelling sessions by Mud Pie Arts will entertain with tales of Perry the puffin and his friends. Additional activities include a marine litter game, exploring wildlife on a strandline tray, and purchasing puffin and coastal-themed gifts. Children will enjoy meeting Cliff the Mascot and participating in his seabird challenge.
Puffins, often dubbed ‘sea parrots,’ are notable for their bright orange legs and colourful beaks, which are most vibrant during this season. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Flamborough Cliffs reserve offers a unique opportunity to see puffins up close without needing a boat. June is an optimal time for observation as puffins return from winter at sea to reunite with their mates and raise their chicks.
The Yorkshire Puffin Festival is funded and supported by Yorkshire Coast BID. While some activities, such as boat trips, require pre-booking, many others are available for drop-in or same-day booking. The festival’s Puffin HQ will be based at North Landing, offering parking and refreshments.
David Craven, East Regional Manager for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, emphasised the importance of this event, stating: “Watching puffins at Flamborough is one of the best wildlife watching spectacles in Yorkshire. They’re such characterful birds with their bright beaks and tuxedo-like markings, whizzing to and from the cliffs, and spotting them is an experience that delights so many people.” He also highlighted the challenges puffins face due to climate change and the need to protect their habitats and food sources.
For more information and to plan your adventure, visit the website here to plan your trip. If you can’t attend in person, you can still participate online at ywt.org.uk/puffin-fest, where you can become a Puffin Protector and access a free pack full of puffin facts, activities, and conservation actions.
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