Herring gulls have declined markedly. They were displaced in hundreds from the north west slopes which are now covered with some 4,000 pairs of gannets. They are increasingly being ousted form the summit area and the south facing escarpment above the chapel. The area in and around the garrison garden has remained a stronghold and it will be interesting to see if the gannets can tolerate this sheltered hollow, which will be difficult for take-off. The garden area is the main stronghold of the lesser black-backed gull.
Kittiwakes are markedly down on their previous high.
For many years thy have produced fewer young than normal - in some years hardly any. It is difficult to know how the puffins are faring. There have never been many in the battlements, their only present nesting area, and one rarely sees more than 10 or 15 at a time. Gullemots seem to be holding their own in the east caves and have recently increased at the base of the east cliffs. However gannets are encroaching on the inner landing area which was a guillemot stronghold.