Sea birds in the south of England

[southlonder]

Are there any large sea bird (including puffins) colonies in the South of England or in Wales? Or is the nearest to London in the Farne Isles?

[Jason Claxton]

Hi SouthLondoner

Skomer Island,Pembrokeshire in Wales is brilliant for seabirds,including Puffins that you can almost touch.I'm not sure that it is any closer for you.An alternative at least.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Dorset holds the nearest puffin breeding grounds at Dancing Ledge near Swanage and at Portland Bill though these hold only a few pairs. Further afield, Bempton Cliffs RSPB has Puffins though I think they are down this year. Can't comment on Wales personally but I'm sure someone else will shortly.

Cheers,

Adam

[Picidae]

There's a large Kittiwake colony at Splash Point, Seaford in East Sussex.

[caernerch]

mixed seabird colony on south stack anglesey includes puffins also they have choughs, there's plenty of fun to be had picking out the odd "bridled" guillemot - they are there but this far south they are hard to find amongst the crowd. anglesey also has southernmost breeding colony of "tysties" at fedw fawr. great birding all year round on anglesey and fill yer boots with ravens.
good luck
caernerch