Puffins are often referred to as "Clowns of the Sea", mainly due to their splendidly colourful beaks, bright orange feet and clumsy traits! They are without a doubt everyone's favourite at Bempton Cliffs. Puffins are one of the smallest breeding birds at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, standing only 20cm (8ins) tall and weighing in at just 14ozs. Their wingspan is 55cm and they beat about 400 beats per minute. The birds on the cliffs at the moment are all adults and will be over the age of 7-8years (this is their normal breeding age). This small bird will have spent the non-breeding year (August to March) out on the wild North Sea / North Atlantic, they only return to the cliffs to breed. Due to the shallow top soil and instability, Puffins do not nest on the cliff tops, but find natural holes and tunnels in the chalk to nest - they pair for life and return to the same spot each year! Puffins usually mate while out at sea and when they arrive at their nest sites they provide vegetation as bedding. Incubation takes 5-6weeks and the Puffling (Puffin chick) fledges in another 5-6weeks. Sea life must suit Puffins because they can live c18years!