Hello
Because of our northerly location (60Degrees), Shetland remains light late into the night. We call this half-light "Simmer Dim." It helps create a special atmosphere when out enjoying the wildlife. It also means that we can watch puffincam fairly late into the evening. Although, I find it does look a little like a pregnancy scan come this time of night.
I admit to being a bit obsessed with watching the puffin cam, and I know I am not the only person. We had 30 nursery and primary 1 school children visit today, as a part of our field teaching service. It is lovely to share their joy at seeing the puffins. It's great for bairns (and adults!) to have a glimpse into the private life of puffins. Even though the incubating bird is generally just sitting there, breathing gently, occassionally shuffling around. The big excitement is to happen next week, when our egg is due to hatch. Puffins, or Tammy Nories as they are called here, take around 40days to hatch and 40 days to fledge. Not every chick will survive whilst in the burrow, so I am rather anxious but hopeful for this puffin family.
Whilst it is great to see the puffin cam, it is even better to sea the seabirds in the flesh (or should that be feather?). There was a lot of activity at Sumburgh Head today, with guillemot chicks peeking out from beneath their parents, hooded crows attacking puffins as they return with fish for their chick, eight common scoters bobbing about on the surface of the sea and just lots going on. I recommend a trip to a seabird colony to everyone. It's always a memorable experience.
All the best from sunny Shetland
Helen