The Puffin is the National Bird of Newfoundland and Labrador. While Atlantic Puffin breeding colonies are mostly in Iceland (60% of the world’s population) they are also found in Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Norway and Greenland. Puffins return to the clifftop nesting areas in March and April. Once the chicks have hatched and 40 days have passed they begin to fly out again this usually takes place from around mid-August to the end of September.
Where to see Puffins in Ireland
- Cliffs of Moher
- Loop Head
- Skellig Islands & Blasket Islands
- Ireland’s Eye
- Saltee Island Wexford
- Hornhead and Malin Head Donegal
- Puffin Island (Oileán na gCánóg) Kerry
- Rathlin Island N. Ireland
- The Gobbins N. Ireland
One of the best places to view the puffins are the world famous Cliffs of Moher. Over 60,000 birds come to nest at the Cliffs and these can be spotted from the Visitors Centre or a speciality sea cruise.
Cost to see the Cliffs of Moher is €8.00. If you want to climb O’Brien’s Tower at the Cliffs there is an extra charge of €4.00. There is a large car park at the Cliffs and all-day parking here is included in the price of a visitor centre ticket.
An even better option is to view the puffins from a specialty cruise. The cost of a boat tour is usually around €25 . The reason this may be the best option is that instead of looking over and and down the cliffs, you are able to look up and on to the cliffs to see the birds.
If seeing Puffins is on your Bucket List, add it now and then consider timing your trip to Ireland when the birds will be there nesting on the cliffs.
