Guillemots crowd tightly together on the broad ledges and sides of offshore stacks, especially in the area north of the lighthouse.

Razorbills occur in similar places, though they prefer to nest in single pairs or small groups.  Both species nest only on cliffs that have a clear drop to the sea below because their young leave the ledges before they can fly. Puffins use natural crevices in the cliff face to lay their single egg out of sight, but the scarcity of suitable sites limits their numbers to around a dozen pairs.  Look for them either side of Nunnery Point.

Kittiwakes build grass and mud nests on sheer cliff faces either side of the lighthouse while Fulmars nest higher up on grassy ledges or in round crevices such as at Hopes Heugh.   Shags and Herring Gulls prefer the low, flat rocks for nesting and roosting especially near Black Gable and Horsecastle Rocks.