The Scottish Seabird Centre is urging North Berwick residents to be aware of young puffins, after they performed their first rescue recently.

Over the next few weeks, pufflings – as young puffins are known – will leave their burrows on the islands of Craigleith, Fidra and the Isle of May National Nature Reserve, off the coast of the town, and head out to sea until they return to breed next spring.

There are about 5,500 apparently occupied puffin burrows on Craigleith and about 55,000 around the Firth of Forth. With two adults and one puffling for each successful burrow nest, this gives an indication of the huge numbers of puffins currently in the area.

And last week, staff at the seabird centre, and North Berwick resident Liz Martin, rescued their first puffin, and it won’t be long before puffling rescues follow, according to the centre.

Marion Kerr, gift shop manager at the centre, said: “Liz [Martin] came into the seabird centre and told us that there was a puffin struggling on the beach. She had organised a family to stand guard as there were lots of kids and dogs around.

“I grabbed our puffin rescue box and Claudia (from our Discovery Centre team) and I went straight out to the beach. The puffin was sitting by the water’s edge and you could tell the wee thing was very tired.

“We managed to pick him up and pop him in the box. We are delighted to say that after a little rest and some food we were able release him back into the wild.” Tom Brock, seabird centre chief executive, has appealed for everyone to be vigilant, and asked anyone who finds a puffin or puffling to call the Scottish Seabird Centre on 01620 890202 or the SSPCA on 03000 999 999.