Which is best for seeing and photographing puffins this year - Bempton Cliffs or South Stack? We'll be going in June
Not the answer you want, but a boat trip to Skomer could be your best bet for photographing them. I've not been to South Stack so no idea what sort of access/range is possible. I'm not a photographer but someone who is says Skomer.
Again, not the answer you want, but boat trip to Farne Islands... We went to south stack last year in may/june and there was only 1 pair at that time. Bob has just posted a video from Bempton yesterday, and said they were fw and far between, but it may still be a bit early for Bempton.
Bempton wasn’t much good for puffins in July when I was there prev…..in terms of photography I mean.
Go to Flamborough Head and walk the headland - better for Puffins than Bempton where they tend to fly low. Yes you do see occasional ones at a decent height but it's very hit and miss. The best place to see Puffins at Bempton is from the Yorkshire Belle out of Bridlington when it does the daily trip up to Bempton cliffs, you get to see them on the water.
However, I don't think that the trip to the Farne Islands can be bettered, even if its only because the walk onto the island is easier than the walk onto Skiomer.
I've never quite made it to Farne, but it is top of the list for next time I'm up in that area. As I was in that area within the last 5 years, it'll probably be that long again though.