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Puffin numbers on the internationally important Farne Islands have dropped by almost a quarter, a new survey has revealed.
National Trustwho manages Northumberland It is reported that breeding pairs in coastal islands fell 23 percent, from 50,103 in 2024 to 38,500 this year.
While significant, the Trust cautioned against interpreting this as a sudden population decline, stressing the need for long-term trend monitoring.
The reason is counting puffins Ben McCarthy, the National Trust’s head of nature conservation, said it was a “notoriously complex task”.
“There is no single accurate method, and annual variations in survey conditions, puffin behavior and environmental factors affect counts,” he said.
“While the decline in numbers is worrying, it is important to view this year’s results in the broader context of global puffin trends.”
National Trust experts said bird flu outbreaks in 2022 and 2023 may not affect puffin populations as badly as other species.
But factors that have affected their numbers include extreme weather such as Hurricane Arwen, soil erosion and an expanding gray seal colony.
Rangers will take measures to prevent seals from disturbing puffin bills during the birds’ breeding season.
Sophia Jackson, Farne Islands area ranger, said: “We know puffins are facing challenges globally, from climate change to changing food sources.
“What we are seeing at Farnese is part of a much bigger picture.
“This year’s census doesn’t mean puffins are disappearing overnight – but it reinforces the need for consistent, long-term data.”
The Farnes attracts around 200,000 seabirds each nesting season and surveys have revealed encouraging trends in other species.
The National Trust said northern fulmar numbers are expected to rise from 106 pairs to 235 in 2024 and common eiders are up 50 per cent.
Greater black-backed gulls, herring gulls, European shags and razorbills also increased in numbers.
Arctic terns, another species for which the Farnes are known, increased by more than 26 percent in the 2024 figures, from 410 to 519 nesting pairs, which was welcomed as they face increasing pressures from climate change and food availability.
The 28 Farne Islands, some of which are submerged in the tide, lie one and a half miles out to sea and are an internationally recognized haven for wildlife.