The number of Puffins on the Farne Islands has plummeted by almost a quarter.
According to a survey of the birds, which live on the islands off the Northumberland coast, the number of breeding pairs fell from 50,103 in 2024 to 38,500 this year representing a drop of 23 per cent.
The National Trust said the long-term trend needed to be monitored but cautioned against interpreting it as a sudden population decline.
Ben McCarthy, head of nature conservation at the National Trust said: ‘Counting puffins is a notoriously complex task.
‘There is no single perfect method, and annual variations in survey conditions, puffin behaviour, and environmental factors all influence the count.
‘While the decline in numbers is concerning, it’s important to view this year’s results within the broader context of global puffin trends.’
National Trust experts said although the bird flu outbreak in 2022 and 2023 did not affect the puffin population as badly as other species, other factors could be behind the steep drop in numbers.
This includes extreme weather such as Storm Arwen, soil erosion and the expanding grey seal colony.
According to a survey of the puffins on Farne Islands, the number of breeding pairs recorded fell from 50,103 in 2024 to 38,500 this year
The National Trust said that while the long-term trend of the puffin population needed to be monitored but cautioned against interpreting it as a sudden population decline
National Trust experts said although the bird flu outbreak in 2022 and 2023 did not affect the puffin population as badly as other species, other factors could be behind the steep drop in numbers
Rangers will put measures in place to deter seals from disturbing the puffin burrows during the birds’ breeding season.
Sophia Jackson, Farne Islands area ranger, said: ‘We know puffins are facing challenges globally, from climate change to shifting food sources.
‘What we’re seeing on the Farnes is part of a much bigger picture.
‘This year’s census doesn’t necessarily mean puffins are disappearing overnight – but it does reinforce the need for consistent, long-term data.’
The Farnes attract around 200,000 seabirds every nesting season and the survey has revealed encouraging trends in other species.
The National Trust said the Northern Fulmar numbers were up from 106 pairs last year to 235 and Common Eiders are up 50 per cent.
The numbers of Greater Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, European Shags and Razorbills were also up.
Arctic Terns, another species for which the Farnes are known, increased by over 26% on 2024 figures, from 410 to 519 nesting pairs, which was welcomed as they face increasing pressure from climate change and food availability.
Puffins, which are classed as a vulnerable species, have thrived on the islands for over a century
A hungry puffin – in 2011
The 28 Farne Islands, some of which are submerged with the tides, stand one-and-a-half miles out to sea and are an internationally recognised haven for wildlife.
Puffins, which are classed as a vulnerable species, have thrived on the islands for over a century.
The birds have endured on the thanks to Farne Islands suitability for nesting, good food sources and lack of predators.
And every year thousands of tourists flock to the island to see the birds.