The circus will be in Cannon Beach for the Fourth of July, but it’s probably not what you’re picturing.

A group of puffins is called a circus, and Friends of Haystack Rock is hosting The Great Cannon Beach Puffin Watch July 1-4 as part of the town’s fireworks-free Independence Day celebrations.

From 8-11 a.m. each day, there will be spotting scopes and binoculars available in front of Haystack Rock so people can get a better view of the largest on-shore tufted puffin population in the continental United States. Knowledgeable birders will also be on hand to help people spot the puffins and talk about the all the seabirds nesting on Haystack.

Tufted puffins are in residence at Haystack from early April through August. The birds, which mate for life, spend the first couple weeks getting their burrows ready before female puffins lay a single, chicken-sized egg that both the female and male incubate for 41-54 days, according to the Seaside Aquarium. Newly hatched puffins — called pufflings — arrive late-June through mid-August, although they usually stay tucked inside the burrow for 38-59 days after hatching.

Mornings are a good time for viewing because the puffins are often returning to their burrows with bills full of fish to feed their young, the aquarium says.

The birds spend their non-breeding time in the open water of the Pacific Ocean.

Mims Copeland is a social media producer and covers trending topics for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her at mcopeland@oregonian.com