Visitors flocked to a nature reserve yesterday as the second annual Puffin Fest kicked off.
The 10 day-long programme of events has returned to the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick in East Lothian for a second year.
Celebrating the birds known as the “clowns of the sea”, the festival will give nature lovers the chance to get up close and personal with the species, as they return from a long winter at sea.
Puffins take up residence in a range of locations across Scotland over the spring and summer.
The largest colony can be found on the island of St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides, but they can also be found at a variety of other spots including Sumburgh Head in Shetland, the Treshnish Isles near Mull and the various cliff-lined coasts of Orkney.
The centre, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary, will give people the opportunity to witness the birds’ unique behaviour on the Puffin Express, which sails out to the breeding colonies on the Firth of Forth.
And for those who have left their “sea legs” at home, visitors can view the feathered friends from afar, using the live cameras at the discovery centre.
There are also a number of puffin-themed events suitable for all ages including parties, picnics, art exhibitions, puffin trails and guided walks with East Lothian Council Ranger Service.
Photography fans can also attend some of the puffin photography talks and workshops with award-winning photographer Tom Langlands.