Puffin numbers rising

The BBC are today reporting that the population of Puffins on the Farne Islands off Northumberland have shown promising increases this year. The population has increased by 8% since the last count in 2008 to 40,000 pairs. Although this is good news, it is tempered by the fact that numbers in 2003 were 55,000, so the Puffin is still in danger. In order to count the birds the National Trust Rangers go onto the islands and put their hands down the birds burrows to check how many are in there, this was done in May and must have been a real tough job. The increase in numbers is a real boost for the rangers, they were concerned after recent winters had taken their toll on the birds, this March saw seabirds washed up on the shore due to weather conditions and lack of food and last winter was so wet that a lot of burrows were flooded. So a big thank you goes out to the National Trust Rangers on the Farne Islands for all of your effort and the reward it has given to the Puffins. Thank you. [caption id="attachment_2762" align="alignleft" width="150"] Been to the shops![/caption]   [caption id="attachment_2763" align="alignleft" width="150"] Covering each others back - eyes everywhere...[/caption]             Source the BBC