Experts monitoring bird numbers on Farne Islands
This year’s puffin count is underway on the Farne Islands, an internationally important sanctuary for the 200,000 seabirds that return each summer to breed, in what is also the National Trust’s 100th year of caring for the archipelago in the North Sea.
Experts say the survey is vitally important following the islands recent closure as a result of both Covid – and the recent problems caused by bird flu.
The area is considered to be a safe haven thanks to its location which is some 1.5 miles off the coast of Northumberland. Depending on the tide, the 28 islands have varying visibility and provide an ideal habitat for 23 species of seabirds.
Experts say it’s an important stop-off point for a host of migratory birds – from long eared owls to blue throats and ring ouzels. During the winter, it’s home to a significant colony of grey seals who return each year to pup.
Seabirds that make the annual migration to breed include cliff-nesting birds such as razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes.
There are also ground nesting birds, such as terns (Arctic, Common and Roseate). They are joined by endangered puffins which build burrows underground to lay their eggs.
The care of the islands has been vital for ensuring the returning birds have the best conditions in which to breed.
Records helping to inform conservation work
The National Trust took over ownership of the Islands from the Farne Islands’ Association in 1925 before taking over the monitoring of seabirds in the middle of the last century.
Due to the growing numbers and variety of species recorded, the islands were declared a National Nature Reserve in 1993. These records that have helped inform conservation work on the islands.
‘The earliest official scientific records for seabirds date from 1913,’ explains Sophia Jackson, Area Ranger on the Farne Islands for The National Trust.
‘Reports for the majority of returning bird species started in the 1920s thanks to the ‘watchers’ stationed on the islands over the summer period.’
‘It appears that the increases in bird species aligns with the islands gaining increased environmental protections, firstly through designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1951 and as a Special Protected Area (SPA) in 1985.’
‘Significant milestones include numbers of breeding birds reaching 100,000 for the first time in 1987, with 200,000 individual seabirds returning recorded in 2005.’
Experts say that regular monitoring for different seabird populations is crucial for guiding conservation work and for keeping track of the impacts of climate change – through warming seas and more frequent storms.
Working hard to care for the habitats for the returning seabirds on the Farne Islands. Photography: Laura Knowles / National Trust Images.
Stable population
‘We submit our data to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP) so our data can be used by researchers and for other studies.’
‘Other sites submit their data into these sources, to give a complete picture of what is happening to the various populations.’
‘Last year’s counts were particularly important as we had been unable to conduct full counts on the islands since 2019.’
‘It was a huge relief to discover that the puffin population was ‘stable’ with 50,000 pairs recorded, but other species were less fortunate with big losses for terns and shags, mainly due to bird flu and winter storms.’
‘Both species have struggled in the last decade due to the weather and declines in fish stocks. Ultimately, they both need time to recover.’
‘We can help by keeping their nesting habitats as safe as possible for them to return to in the light of climate change and the increase of extreme weather events.’
To help monitor the puffins and to gain further insights into these ‘clowns of the sea,’ the team is introducing a new way to track the birds using coloured rings – the second such project in England.
‘Nothing short of incredible’
‘Despite puffins spending much of their time ‘rafting’ out at sea, ringing them will help us to understand more about the individuals as we’ll be able to follow them over several years,’ says Tom Hendry, Area Ranger on the Farne Islands.
‘Over the next few weeks, we’ll aim to ring 50 adult birds as part of our census and productivity monitoring.’
‘Reported sightings of these blue colour rings by other rangers from other organisations and the public, will indicate that these adults breed on the Farnes, and are vital for this project.’
Other techniques used over the years to better understand the various species have been through ringing and also geolocation tags which were put on some Arctic terns in 2015 and retrieved in 2016.
‘In using tracking technology we were able to discover for the first time just how far the Arctic terns travel during their annual migration with distances of up to 70,800 miles recorded,’ says Sophia.
‘To put this into context, close to three times around the globe each year which means they witness two summers! When you think about what that means over the lifetime of one of these tiny seabirds, it is nothing short of incredible.’
Keeping accurate records of the birds over the years has been vital. Dr Anne Wilson has been the Trust’s Volunteer Archivist for the Farnes since 2005.
She first became interested in the islands in 1986 and created the database of bird records that is still used to this day.
‘I’ve been very fortunate’
‘I never expected to be a volunteer on the Farne Islands and have the access I have,’ says Anne.
‘A few weeks ago, we had an amazing show of dolphins in the harbour, and I’ve actually also seen basking sharks around the islands, so I’ve been very fortunate.’
‘However, as well as the highs there have been some lows. Avian Flu was just awful, but our rangers did a brilliant job.’
‘It’s hard to know what the famous bird colonies will be like in 50 or 100 years. Because of rising sea levels and warming seas, we could be seeing an entirely different position on the Farne Islands.’
‘When the seas warm, the fish and plankton the birds depend on will migrate further north – and won’t be in sync with the birds’ breeding seasons. But, hopefully, after these first 100 years, we can build on what’s been achieved.’
To help mark the 100th anniversary the conservation charity wants to ensure more people than ever before can experience the seabird breeding season with two live web-cams.
One will be trained onto the puffin burrows and the second on the cliff nesting birds at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands-webcam
‘Vitally important breeding season’
‘In this significant year we want more people to become ‘watchers’ of this annual spectacle to have a window into this unique world,’ says Sophia.
‘We hope by seeing the birds, people will be inspired to visit in person one day, but also to realise just how special these wild isles are, and how we must do all we can to ensure these islands and bird species have a long and healthy future ahead.’
‘We are doing the best we can to ensure all our seabirds have a bright future. But climate change, especially its impact on the severity of winter storms and extreme weather events are the biggest threats facing both our seabirds and seal populations.’
‘Summer storms resulting in heavy rain at the wrong time of year can flood puffin burrows on the islands, as well as impacting how the birds fare when on their migrating routes.’
‘Winter storms can also wash seal pups off the rocks and several pups perished when storm Arwen hit the islands in 2021.’
‘Protecting the marine environment around the islands is crucial for the future of our seabirds,’ says Rosie Hails, Director of Nature & Science at The National Trust.
‘We welcome the recent decision by the courts to uphold the ban on sand eel fishing in the North Sea to help ensure seabird populations have the food sources they need during the vitally important breeding season.’
‘This decision, and its impact on seabirds, underlines the need for the UK Government, governments in devolved nations and elsewhere around the world to accelerate action towards the legally binding targets of protecting 30 per cent of our seas and land for nature by 2030.’
‘Shining a spotlight on seabirds’
‘Currently only 10 per cent of English seas are protected from the most damaging form of fishing and are moving towards the effective protection for nature.’
‘Globally this figure is only three per cent, and alarmingly recent reports estimate at the current rate of action, it will be 80 years before this target is reached.’
‘Shining a spotlight on seabirds and their migratory routes crossing many international boundaries shows how what happens to wildlife elsewhere has a huge impact on the birdlife we see here.’
‘These annual cycles illustrate the vulnerability of our wildlife and how vitally important clean and healthy seas and oceans are to ensuring our seabird populations have the stability needed to recover and grow.’
