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Farne Islands puffin numbers stable after avian flu
Over 900 puffins were found dead on the islands during the avian flu outbreak.
A full count has been carried out for the first time in five years.

The National Trust has successfully conducted its first full count of the puffin population on the Farne Islands since 2019.

The islands, off the coast of Northumberland, are home to around 200,000 seabirds in total, including puffins, Arctic terns and kittiwakes. The charity carefully monitors seabird numbers, but was unable to do so in recent years due to the impact of avian influenza.

Counting numbers across eight of the 28 islands, the team of 11 National Trust rangers estimated the population to be around 50,000 pairs. This is a 15 per cent increase on the estimate of almost 44,000 pairs in 2019.

However, the count did reveal that there were fewer pairs of puffins on the outer islands compared to 2019. More were nesting on Inner Farne, the largest of the islands.

The rangers, who counted the puffins by monitoring their burrows for signs of activity, also found no sign of avian flu.

Sophia Jackson, National Trust area ranger on the Farne Islands, said: “We feared the worse after we sadly collected 938 dead puffins in 2022 and 2023 which had died due to bird flu – but it’s been amazing to get this positive news; and it seems due to the species’ own ‘self-isolating’ behaviours that they have weathered this particular storm.”

The National Trust has also revealed that preliminary results from its other seabird counts on the island suggest that both shags and guillemots have seen a drop in numbers.

Initial figures, which are still to be fully collated and verified, suggest that shag numbers have fallen by 75 per cent compared to last year. The number of guillemots has dropped by 37 per cent.

Thomas Hendry, also a National Trust area ranger on the Farne Islands, said: “With numbers still to be verified across the islands, these initial figures from the inner group of islands are concerning.

“Although we didn’t pick up a particularly large number of shags during the two seasons where we experienced bird flu (172 in total) we fear that the more extreme weather and frequent storms during the winter really disrupted their ability to feed.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.