Spectacular changes in the populations of seabirds breeding at RSPB Bempton Cliffs on the Yorkshire coast have highlighted the international importance of the Yorkshire coast for marine wildlife.

At a time when seabird populations have collapsed elsewhere, dramatic increases in gannets and guillemots identified during this year's census of the birds nesting at here and at Flamborough Head have put the area into the top seabird sites in the UK.

But among the good news about the health of some of the famous seabirds is the bad news that numbers of puffins are declining – a stark reminder of the ever-increasing need to better safeguard our seabirds.

A full census of the cliffs during this year's breeding season reveal that more than 200,000 birds were at Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head.

The RSPB's Keith Clarkson, who has led the colony count, said: "RSPB Bempton Cliffs is home to England's only mainland gannet colony and the growth in numbers of this awesome bird over the last 40 years has been phenomenal. There were only 20 pairs here in 1988. Now, just 20 years later, there are a staggering 6,000 pairs – with a further 2,500 youngsters trying to establish nesting sites."

Keith added, "This success story is mirrored by the guillemots on the reserve. They have increased by 25 per cent since the last full colony count in 2000. This year, nearly 60,000 birds were counted on the cliffs, making RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head the third largest colony in the UK.

"The success of the guillemots is even more important when taken against the background of the equally spectacular declines in numbers reported from their traditional strongholds in northern Scotland.

"This demonstrates the increasing importance of Bempton Cliffs in particular, and the North Sea in general, for these birds. It also illustrates how important it is for us to ensure the highest level of protection for these birds when they leave the protection of Bempton and head off out to sea," said Keith.

But he does add a note
of warning. "Perhaps the most worrying statistic to come out of this survey is what's happening to our puffins. Everyone loves puffins, whether it's birdwatchers or the thousands of tourists who flock to Bempton every year in the hope catching a glimpse of these brilliant little birds.

"Sadly, they appear to have declined by around two- thirds across the whole colony.

"Puffins are notoriously difficult to count because they nest in burrows, cracks and crevices, so this figure can only be a rough guide to what's happening. But it does mirror similar declines on the Isle of May and the Farne Islands, in Northumberland, raising serious concerns about the future of these iconic little birds."

RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head still supports the largest kittiwake colony in the UK, with nearly 38,000 pairs nesting on the cliffs this year. However, the 13 per cent recorded decline since 2000 comes at a time when breeding populations of this species are under threat across the UK, providing a worrying reminder of the work that still needs to be done to safeguard their future.

"These changes, with winners and losers, highlight the complexity of issues affecting our seabirds,"
says Keith. "Now, more than ever before, we need to ensure that the Government's forthcoming Marine Bill has the teeth to safeguard our seabirds and the marine environment that they depend upon.

"It is only with this kind of strong legislation that sites like RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head can continue to support flourishing seabird populations into the future." he added.

Robbie Fisher, Natural England's marine advisor, said: "This survey confirms the status of Flamborough Head as a wildlife site of international importance. The highs and lows of this seabird count illustrate that we cannot take this special area for granted.

"As the Government's advisor on nature conservation, Natural England will continue to work with the RSPB and others to ensure that this spectacular colony is protected for everyone to enjoy."