The Atlantic puffin, with its bright, triangular beak and black-and-white plumage, is a celebrated sight along the North Atlantic coastline. These seabirds are major residents in Norway, which serves as a significant habitat for the species. Norway’s rugged coast and numerous offshore islands host large breeding colonies, making the country a prime destination for viewing them. This guide details where and when these birds can be found in the region.
Species Identification and Population Status
The puffin species breeding in Norway is the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), the only puffin native to the Atlantic Ocean. It is easily recognizable by its colorful bill, which features bold red, yellow, and blue-gray markings during the breeding season, earning it the nickname “sea parrot.” The bird has a black back and crown, white underparts, and bright orange webbed feet.
The Atlantic Puffin population in Norway is substantial, estimated at approximately three million mature individuals. Despite this large number, the population has faced a substantial decline, primarily due to food shortages related to changes in fish stocks like herring. This decline, estimated at 50–80% over the last three generations in some areas, has led to the species being listed as Endangered (EN) on the Norwegian Red List for Species. It is also listed as Vulnerable globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Key Norwegian Colony Locations
Seeing the Atlantic Puffin requires visiting their coastal breeding grounds, which are concentrated in large, protected nature reserves along the Norwegian Sea. The island of Røst, located at the southwestern tip of the Lofoten archipelago, is historically one of the most important sites. Røst once housed the world’s largest puffin colony, though numbers have dropped dramatically. Visitors must typically join an organized boat tour to access the nearby bird cliffs.
Further south, the island of Lovund in the Helgeland region hosts a substantial colony, often cited as one of the largest and most accessible in the country. Lovund is a small island community where puffins arrive annually in mid-April.
On the west coast, near Ålesund, Runde Island is another well-known location, sometimes referred to as the “Puffin Capital.” Runde is relatively more accessible than the remote northern islands and is home to nearly 100,000 puffins during the peak season. These islands feature steep cliffs and grassy slopes where puffins dig their nesting burrows. Access to nesting areas is typically managed through marked trails and designated viewing spots to protect the sensitive nature reserves.
Seasonal Viewing Patterns
Puffins spend the majority of their lives at sea, returning to the Norwegian coast only for the breeding season. Outside of this period, they are considered pelagic birds, resting and feeding in the open ocean. The arrival of the puffins to the breeding colonies typically begins in late March or early April, when they establish nests and lay a single egg.
The optimal window for viewing the puffins on land runs from mid-April through late July or early August. By the end of August, the adult birds and their fledged young, known as pufflings, leave the colonies to return to the sea for the winter. The best time of day to observe them is generally in the evening, between 6 PM and 8 PM. During these hours, adult birds are most active, flying back and forth to the colony with small fish to feed their chicks in the burrows.