Annual bird counts on the Farne Islands have revealed mixed fortunes for the internationally important seabird colonies, with declines recorded among puffins and several other species following an exceptionally difficult winter in the north Atlantic.

Annual bird counts on the Farne Islands have revealed mixed fortunes for the internationally important seabird colonies, with declines recorded among puffins and several other species following an exceptionally difficult winter in the north Atlantic.

This year's count by National Trust rangers recorded declines in several species. European shags recorded one of the steepest declines, falling 42% from 96 to 56 breeding pairs. Arctic terns fell 27%, from 519 to 377 breeding pairs, northern fulmars declined 21%, from 235 to 186 breeding pairs, and common guillemots fell 11%, from 44,059 to 39,059 individuals.