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| Puffins - are Grey Seals eroding soil-nesting sites of this much-loved species? |
THE number of breeding Puiffins pairs in the Farne Islands this year was 38,500 - 23 per cent down on the figure of 50,103 in 2024.
Despite this apparently alarming decrease, experts are cautioning against interpreting it as a sudden population decline.
Ben McCarthy, Head of Nature Conservation at the National Trust, which has charge of the Farne Islands, says: "Counting Puffins is a notoriously complex task - there is no single perfect method.
"Variations in survey conditions, the species' behaviour and environmental factors all influence the count."
It is thought that soil erosion, driven by the expanding grey seal colony, at nesting sites could be an adverse factor.
Farne Islands Area Ranger, Sophia Jackson, Farne Islands Area Ranger, comments: "We know Puffins are facing challenges globally, from climate change to shifting food sources.
"This year’s census doesn’t mean Puffins are disappearing overnight - but it does reinforce the need for consistent, long-term data."
On the plus side, surveys of other seabird populations on the Farne Islands have revealed several encouraging trends, with some species showing encouraging increases on 2024 figures.
For example, the n umber of nesting pairs of Fulmars more than doubled - rising from 106 to 235 nesting pairs.
There were also increases for Eider (over 50 per cent). Great Black-backed Gull (up 100 per cent), Herring Gull (up 58 per cent ) and Shag (up 57 per cent).
Razorbills rose by 22.5 per cent while Guillemots experienced a modest increase of 2 per cent.
Arctic Terns also saw a healthy rise, increasing by over 26 per cent on 2024 figures, from 410 to 519 nesting pairs, a welcome boost for a species that faces increasing pressure from climate change and food availability.
However, there were declines for Common and Sandwich Terns.
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| Fulmars - welcome increase in breeding pairs |
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