Puffins are not declining at one of Britain’s most important seabird colonies, they simply moved to different islands to avoid marauding seals, experts have concluded.

Last May the annual puffin count on The Farne Islands in Northumberland found the number of breeding pairs had fallen by 12 per cent, with the the reduction blamed on the harsh winter of 2016, climate change and pollution.

But a reevaluation of the figures has found puffin numbers have actually increased by nine percent.

Rangers discovered that burgeoning populations of grey seals have been accidentally destroying puffin burrows as they shuffle around on the shoreline. Unable to nest on the outer islands, the little seabirds have been driven to the inner isles, where they are thriving.

“A factor for the lower bird numbers on the outer islands could be the success of our grey seal population,” said National Trust ranger, Thomas Hendry.

“We have seen seal pup numbers growing from 1,704 to 2,602 in the last five years.

“A rather unfortunate consequence of this growth is the seals are competing with puffins for areas to raise their young.

“Although the two species are in residence and breed at different times of year, the weight of the seals could be crushing the puffin burrows and eroding surrounding vegetation.”