Capturing the magic of Skomer Island: Tips for photographing puffins

Visiting Skomer Island had always been a dream of mine, drawn by the iconic puffins, my favourite birds. These colourful birds fascinate me with their vibrant beaks and captivating behaviours. These remarkable seabirds only come back to land to nest during the spring and early summer, spending the rest of the year at sea. Their brief time on shore creates a liminal space, making each encounter profoundly special. This year, I finally fulfilled my dream, traveling with Pembrokeshire Islands to this wildlife haven.

Skomer Island, a designated nature reserve, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. It is a sanctuary for puffins, seals, and a myriad of other seabirds. The island’s unique charm lies in its ability to offer close encounters with enigmatic seabirds and also to offer all four seasons in one day!

Visiting Skomer Island to photograph puffins is a dream come true for many wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. These remarkable seabirds, known for their vibrant beaks and endearing personalities, spend most of their life at sea, only returning to land between late March and early August to nest. During this time, they lay a single egg in a burrow, and the chick, known as a puffling, spends about six weeks in the burrow before venturing out. Once fledged the puffling spends several years at sea before returning to find a mate. The best time to visit Skomer Island to see these birds is from late April to July, during their nesting season.

The weather on Skomer Island can be unpredictable, so it’s essential to dress in layers and be prepared for sun, rain, and wind all in one day. During my visit, we experienced everything from bright sunshine to sudden rain and dramatic skies, adding to the island’s mystique. The island is a protected nature reserve managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, focusing on preserving its unique ecosystem. Puffins primarily feed on small fish like sandeels, which they catch during their sea journeys. Capturing these moments on camera requires patience. Spend time observing and waiting for the perfect shot, as puffins can be unpredictable.

The most rewarding experiences await on the other side of sitting quietly and letting the puffins approach you. This minimises disturbance and enhances your experience, allowing you to capture more natural behaviours. The highlight of my trip was observing a puffling leave its burrow. It took over an hour of patient waiting to capture photos and videos of the young bird, as it cautiously peeked out, spread its wings, and retreated back to safety. Sitting quietly on the cliffs of Skomer, I had puffins land right beside me with beaks full of sandeels. Some puffins, curious and bold, walked up to inspect me, leaving me to ponder who was truly watching whom. These intimate moments, where nature’s boundaries blur, are what make Skomer Island so special. The island’s conservation work ensures these encounters can continue for generations.

Staying on Skomer Island is an opportunity to immerse yourself in this wild paradise, witnessing the delicate balance of nature up close. I am hoping to enjoy this unique opportunity to experience its wildlife and landscapes without the day-tripper crowds one day! Most people visit for the day and booking your boat trip to Skomer Island in advance is essential, with one company running the trips: Pembrokeshire Islands. They are great and the trip over is loaded with lots of facts about the area and the seabirds.

To get the best shots, I’d recommend having a telephoto lens (200mm or longer) to capture close-up images without disturbing the birds. However, the longer you sit and immerse yourself in puffin life, the closer puffins come, intrigued by us and so having a 50mm is also a great option. A fast shutter speed (1/1000 sec or faster) will help you freeze their movements and get sharp photos. Include the dramatic cliffs, burrows, and ocean in your shots to provide context and tell a more compelling story about the puffins’ habitat. Shooting from a low angle can create more intimate and engaging photos, and focusing on the puffin’s eye ensures sharp, clear images.

Photographing puffins during the golden hours of early morning and late afternoon provides the best lighting conditions, with soft, warm light that enhances the colours and details of the birds – light that is only afforded to those who are lucky enough to stay on the island. Capturing puffins in action—whether flying, diving, or interacting with each other—adds excitement and dynamism to your portfolio. Always prioritize the welfare of the puffins by maintaining a respectful distance, following local guidelines, and avoiding disturbing their natural behaviour, especially during the breeding season. With these tips in mind, your visit to Skomer Island will be a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

10 Tips for Photographing Puffins

1. Use a Telephoto Lens: Puffins can be shy and are often found on cliffs or in the water, so a telephoto lens (200mm or longer) helps you capture close-up shots without disturbing them.
2. Be Patient: Puffins can be unpredictable. Spend time observing their behaviour and be ready for the perfect moment when they do something interesting.
3. Capture Their Environment: Include the dramatic cliffs, burrows, and ocean in your shots to provide context and tell a more compelling story about the puffins’ habitat.
4. Use a Fast Shutter Speed: Puffins are fast and active birds. A fast shutter speed (1/1000 sec or faster) will help you freeze their movements and capture sharp images.
5. Photograph During Golden Hours: Early morning and late afternoon provide the best lighting conditions, with soft, warm light that enhances the colors and details of the puffins.
6. Get Low: Shooting from a low angle can create more intimate and engaging photos. It helps to get on the same level as the puffins, making your images more dynamic.
7. Focus on the Eyes: Sharp, clear eyes are crucial in wildlife photography. Use a single focus point on the puffin’s eye to ensure it’s in focus.
8. Show Puffins in Action: Capture puffins flying, diving, or interacting with each other. These action shots add excitement and dynamism to your portfolio.
9. Be Quiet and Still: Puffins are less likely to be disturbed if you remain quiet and still. This can help you get closer to them and capture more natural behaviours.
10. Respect Their Space: Always prioritise the welfare of the puffins. Maintain a respectful distance, follow local guidelines, and avoid disturbing their natural behaviour, especially during the breeding season.