BANDON, Ore. - They haven't been seen in this part of Bandon since 2001, but now the Tufted Puffins have returned.

And even though the birds were hiding from our camera during our recent trip to the coast, coastal birdwatchers have been able to capture them in photos.

"We were very pleased to see them back in the numbers they came back this year. Normally we do see puffins, except we went through a period of about four to five years where we had no sightings," said Bill Binnewies, a bird watcher and volunteer with Shoreline Education for Awareness.

The Tufted Puffin, most recognizable by its large orange beak and colorful appearance, traditionally flies down the coast from Alaska, arriving in Bandon around April to breed.

Binnewies said after a few years with no puffin sightings, a group was spotted last year on Face Rock, and now they've returned to all three prime locations in Bandon, including Table Rock and Elephant Rock.

"This year we have at least four, and possibly six, dens on Face Rock. And we have a pair of puffins that have come back to their traditional den here on Elephant Rock."

Binnewies said he can't say for certain why they're starting to come back, but the geographical area is appealing for the bird.

"The primary draw for puffins is they do have sights that they can den," he said. "They are in a protected breeding area."

Binnewies said even though the birds have made a return, their numbers are still low, with only 16 to 18 birds spotted this year.

So where and when is the best time to catch a glimpse of a puffin?

"The reason we became quite excited about this pair returning to Elephant Rock is because it is the one spot where they can be seen. Normally the best time to spot a puffin is between 6:30 and 8:30 in the morning," said Binnewies.

And if you plan on heading to the beach to check them out, make sure you bring along your binoculars and don't delay your trip too long. Binnewies said the birds will be heading back to Alaska in early July.