Bird watchers from all over the world come to Iceland to see puffins. Why? Iceland is home to more than 60% (8 - 10 million) of the world’s entire Atlantic puffin population. Puffins are not full time residents of Iceland. They spend 8 months of the year at sea. In late spring, thousands of puffins form large colonies on coastal clifftops, coming together for the breeding season.
Fortunately for us, we stayed in the town of Vik for a night. Vik is close to the Cliffs of Dyrholaey where a large breeding colony has been known to nest. The weather had turned for the worse being cold, damp and with extremely high winds. As we hiked to the top of the cliffs, we spotted puffins everywhere flying into the wind and diving here and there. It was quite a scene to experience. I guess the puffins were well into the mating as they totally ignored us as we snapped away.