"Where are all the puffins?" is a common question on certain days, and where are all the puffins on these days? A spell of calm seas and sunny weather in the last week brought lots of visitors eager to see the Tammy Nories (puffins), but very few were around. When the weather changed two days ago, the Nories began to appear in droves! Last season I began to notice a weather cycle where following a few bright sunny days with very few puffins on the cliffs, the next damp and overcast day would bring lots, with even greater numbers in foggy conditions. Why would this be? Visibility may be a factor affecting predators and puffins alike. Perhaps good visibility and bright clear skies are favourable fishing conditions for puffins, taking them out to sea. Similarly, predators soar high around Sumburgh Head at these times searching for prey, another good reason to head out to sea if you are a puffin. (Bonxies (great skuas) sometimes remain quite still in the sky, expertly balancing on thermals while scanning the cliffs below). These combined factors may mean sunny days often mean fewer puffins. On a duller day with damp in the air visibility is reduced and predators may not be able see so well at height. Puffins may feel safer in these conditions and the foggier the day the safer they seem to feel on the cliffs, appearing in far greater numbers.Today has been dull and wet with a slowly building wind and those folk who wrapped up and came to Sumburgh Head were rewarded with close encounters with lots of Nories. In grey weather, they really are a striking blast of colour, so if at first you don't see puffins, it might be an idea to try again when the fog comes in!