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Map of Sumburgh Head
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Puffin waddling along clifftopRazorbill with chick on nest ledgeSumburgh Head
Walking towards Sumburgh HeadPuffins sitting on stone wall at RSPB Sumburgh Head nature reserveOrcas 'porpoising'
Close-up of fulmar in flightCoastline of Sumburgh HeadYellow-browed warbler in hedgerow
Aerial view of snowy Sumburgh HeadTwite perching in bushWild waves on rocks

Wildlife awards

Sumburgh Head is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK.

Top things to do in Spring

  1. See our Puffincam and join our friendly guides for a Date with Nature between 11 am and 4 pm each day from mid-May
  2. Stimulate your senses with the sound and smell of thousands of seabirds
  3. Stroll up to the lighthouse, stopping at the viewpoints to see where each seabird nests

Top things to do in Summer

  1. See our Puffincam and join our friendly guides for a Date with Nature between 11 am and 4 pm each day until mid-August
  2. Look to the sea for the chance of spotting killer whales (orcas) and minke whales
  3. In July, watch guillemot 'jumplings' leaping from the cliff face

Top things to do in Autumn

  1. Keep your eyes peeled for rare migrants
  2. Enjoy the fulmars surfing on the wind
  3. Marvel at the scenery

Top things to do in Winter

  1. Walk around the lighthouse buildings and imagine the lives of those who once lived here
  2. Spend time watching the sea in all her moods
  3. Watch twites up close and listen to their sweet chirps

What's on?

We haven't got any events planned here at the moment. Check out our main events pages to find something up your street (or at least quite near to it).

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Your photos

  • Spring squill
  • Mousa's moss campion
  • Territorial fulmars at Sumburgh Head
  • Puffin sunbathing
  • Puffin with nesting material.
  • Gannets!
  • Flowers in the Shetlands

View more photos

Downloads

WildSquare Bingo

WildSquare Bingo

2.8Mb, PDF

Date: 21 June 2010

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Living classrooms

Get your class or group exploring the natural world in fun and innovative ways.

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Extend your stay

Other places to visit

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Loch of Spiggie

A scenic loch and marshland, with wintering wildfowl and breeding waders

Gannet and chick on Bass Rock

Bempton Cliffs

Towering chalk cliffs home to 200,000 seabirds

Calling redshank in meadow

Buckenham Marshes

A gentle walk with wide views across the marshes.

Puffin calling, Isle of May National Nature reserve

Shetland's summer spectacle

Let us introduce you to the wildlife at Shetland's summer spectacle.

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