Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/05/atlantic-puffins-may-2025/ # Atlantic Puffins, Seabirds & Golden Hour Magic in May 2025 Published on June 5, 2025 [![One Of Skomers Atlantic Puffins Atop A Rocky Outcrop](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-atop-a-rocky-outcrop-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-atop-a-rocky-outcrop.jpg) Words & images contributed by [Ian Roberts](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/ian/). **Skomer Island**, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, is among the best seabird locations in the UK. Over four days in late May 2025, I led a small group staying on the island overnight, giving us access to the colonies at first & last light when the day-trippers had gone. [![One Of The Atlantic Puffins Returning To The Nest With A Beak Full Of Sand Eels](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-the-Atlantic-Puffins-returning-to-the-nest-with-a-beak-full-of-sand-eels.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-the-Atlantic-Puffins-returning-to-the-nest-with-a-beak-full-of-sand-eels.jpg) ## Day 1 – Arrival & First Encounters We crossed from **Martins Haven** to **Skomer Island** under mixed skies, with enough breaks in the cloud to give us workable light. After dropping bags, we walked the main paths so the group could get their bearings & I could show them where the puffin burrows sit relative to the best backgrounds. [![One Of Skomers Atlantic Puffins Amongst The Sea Campion](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-amongst-the-Sea-Campion.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-amongst-the-Sea-Campion.jpg) Our first photographic subjects were the iconic **Atlantic Puffins**, perched on the cliffs of **The Wick, Garland Stone, & High Cliff**. These charismatic birds, with their bright bills & comical waddling gait, were busy flying in with sand-eels or standing sentry at their burrows. [![One Of Skomers Famous Atlantic Puffins Amongst The Sea Campion](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-famous-Atlantic-Puffins-amongst-the-Sea-Campion.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-famous-Atlantic-Puffins-amongst-the-Sea-Campion.jpg) As we traversed **North Valley**, **Short-eared Owls** glided silently overhead, their broad wings cutting through the evening light – a distinctive sight. We attempted golden hour shots, but the shifting clouds limited us to backlit compositions before the light faded. ## Day 2 – The Island to Ourselves The day dawned fine but very windy, forcing the cancellation of day boats – leaving us with the rare privilege of having Skomer entirely to ourselves. We rose early to chase the sunrise, capturing Atlantic Puffins bathed in golden light. The morning was particularly productive, with the Atlantic Puffins carrying sand-eels in their bills, **Choughs** performing acrobatic flights, & **Razorbills** & **Guillemots** clustered on the cliffs. A **Grey Seal** lounged near **The Landing**, watching us with mild curiosity. [![One Of The Atlantic Puffins Coming In To Land With A Beak Full Of Sand Eels](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-the-Atlantic-Puffins-coming-in-to-land-with-a-beak-full-of-sand-eels.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-the-Atlantic-Puffins-coming-in-to-land-with-a-beak-full-of-sand-eels.jpg) Through the afternoon we worked the **Northern Fulmars** riding the updrafts along the cliff edge – good practice for tracking a bird in flight against a clean sea background. In the sheltered valleys, **Wrens**, **Pipits & Warblers** were singing from the bracken, offering opportunities for perched portraits with soft, diffused light. [![One Of Skomers Atlantic Puffins Coming In To Land At The End Of The Day](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-coming-in-to-land-at-the-end-of-the-day.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-coming-in-to-land-at-the-end-of-the-day.jpg) The evening gave us a narrow window of golden light. We used it for [puffin](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/puffins/) silhouettes against the sea – exposing for the water behind the bird & letting the puffin go dark. Cloud closed in after about twenty minutes, but everyone had frames they were pleased with. ## Day 3 – Bluebells & Owls The wind had calmed, but clouds dominated the sky. Undeterred, we ventured out before dawn to photograph [Atlantic Puffins](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/atlantic-puffin/) in the soft morning light – some posed against the dark cliffs of **The Wick**, while others foraged amongst the delicate White Campion flowers. [![One Of Famous Skomers Atlantic Puffins In Flight](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-famous-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-in-flight.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-famous-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-in-flight.jpg) The afternoon yielded sightings of a **Shoveler Duck** on the island’s ponds, **Linnets** perched on gorse, & a **Curlew** probing the grassland with its long bill. Best of all, the Short-eared Owls reappeared, hunting over meadows still dotted with the last of the season’s bluebells – a dream scene for any wildlife photographer. [![One Of Skomers Atlantic Puffins At Sunset](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-at-Sunset.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-Skomers-Atlantic-Puffins-at-Sunset.jpg) Rain & a rising wind shut us down that evening earlier than planned. ## Day 4 – Farewell to Skomer Damp & overcast on the final morning, but the wind had dropped enough for the boat back to Martins Haven. The weather had pushed us to adapt on every session, but that is Skomer – you work with whatever conditions the island gives you, & the proximity to the birds makes it worthwhile every time. ## Species Photographed on This Trip - **Atlantic Puffin** (Fratercula arctica) – Carrying sandeels, in flight, amongst wildflowers - **Short-eared Owl** (Asio flammeus) – Hunting over North Valley & bluebell meadows - **Chough** (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) – Aerobatic flights, red bills gleaming - **Razorbill** (Alca torda) – Nesting on cliff ledges - **Guillemot** (Uria aalge) – Crowded on cliffs - **Grey Seal** (Halichoerus grypus) – Resting near The Landing - **Northern Fulmar** (Fulmarus glacialis) – Gliding effortlessly on updrafts - **Wren** (Troglodytes troglodytes) – Singing from dense vegetation - **Meadow Pippit** (Anthus pratensis) – Perched on fence posts - **Sedge Warbler** (Phylloscopus trochilus) – Flitting through bracken - **Shoveler Duck** (Spatula clypeata) – Dabbling in island ponds - **Linnet** (Linaria cannabina) – Feeding on seed heads - **Curlew** (Numenius arquata) – Probing the grasslands Skomer remains one of the most reliable [seabird](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/seabird/) photography locations in Britain. The [puffins](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/puffins/) are confiding, the owls hunt in open view, & staying overnight means you get the light that day visitors never see. We will be returning. ## Share this post - - - - [![An Inquisitive Stallion Walks Up The Beach As Photographed During The Natureslens White Horses Of The Camargue Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/an-inquisitive-stallion-walks-up-the-beach-as-photographed-during-the-natureslens-white-horses-of-the-camargue-photography-holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/04/18/inspiring-white-horses-of-the-camargue/) ### [10 inspiring images of the White Horses of the Camargue](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/04/18/inspiring-white-horses-of-the-camargue/) April 18, 2019 I wanted to share more images from our White Horses of the Camargue photography trip in September 2018 to give… - [![One Of The Bonellis Eagles Found On The Estate Photographed On The Estate Used For The Natureslens Birds Of Extremadura Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/One-of-the-Bonellis-Eagles-found-on-the-estate-photographed-on-the-estate-used-for-the-NaturesLens-Birds-of-Extremadura-photography-holiday-300x225.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/10/wildlife-photography-holiday-in-extremadura/) ### [Wildlife Photography Holiday in Extremadura](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/10/wildlife-photography-holiday-in-extremadura/) June 10, 2025 See what awaits you during our wildlife photography holiday in Extremadura ... imagine mornings with griffon vultures circling crimson skies,… - [![A Lesser Kestrel Rests On The Tiles Of A Derelict Barn Photographed During One Of The Natureslens Photography Holidays To Spain](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/a-lesser-kestrel-rests-on-the-tiles-of-a-derelict-barn-photographed-during-one-of-the-natureslens-photography-holidays-to-spain.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/07/18/birdlife-of-spains-plains-of-calera/) ### [15 images of the diverse birdlife of Spain’s plains of Calera](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/07/18/birdlife-of-spains-plains-of-calera/) July 18, 2019 In this second trip report on the birdlife of Spain, I look back at our week in Calera. We arrived… In this article 1. [Day 1 - Arrival & First Encounters](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/05/atlantic-puffins-may-2025/#day-1-arrival-first-encounters) 1. [Day 2 - The Island to Ourselves](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/05/atlantic-puffins-may-2025/#day-2-the-island-to-ourselves) 1. [Day 3 - Bluebells & Owls](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/05/atlantic-puffins-may-2025/#day-3-bluebells-owls) 1. [Day 4 - Farewell to Skomer](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/05/atlantic-puffins-may-2025/#day-4-farewell-to-skomer) 1. [Species Photographed on This Trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/06/05/atlantic-puffins-may-2025/#species-photographed-on-this-trip) ### Author IR [Ian Roberts](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/ian/) shares practical field notes, trip updates and wildlife photography advice from the NaturesLens programme. Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. [Browse Holidays](https://natureslens.co.uk/wildlife-photography-holidays/) ### Related articles [![What Can You Hope To Photograph In One Week At Shompole Wilderness?](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/One-of-the-Resident-Lions-Sitting-Near-the-Waterhole-at-Night-photographed-in-one-week-at-Shompole-Wilderness-150x150.jpg) **What Can You Hope to Photograph in One Week at Shompole Wilderness?**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/10/31/one-week-at-shompole-wilderness/) [![Four Days With The Puffins Of Skomer Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/An-Atlantic-Puffin-silhouetted-by-the-sunset-photographed-whilst-spending-four-days-with-the-Puffins-of-Skomer-Island-150x150.jpg) **Four Days with the Puffins of Skomer Island**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/07/08/four-days-with-the-puffins-of-skomer-island/) ### Field notes by email New articles, trip reports and wildlife photography holiday announcements from NaturesLens. 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