Visitors will be able to visit the stunning Farne Islands for the first time in two years next month after shutting down due to avian flu.

The internationally-important colony of about 200,000 seabirds make home on the islands each year.

Among them are puffins, Arctic terns and kittiwakes.

At the end of March each year, the birds return to the islands to breed, departing once their chicks are fully fledged at the end of the summer.

The Northern Echo: Guillemots gathered on sea cliffs to breed and swimming in the sea on the Farne Islands.Guillemots gathered on sea cliffs to breed and swimming in the sea on the Farne Islands. (Image: PA)

Visitors flock to the islands in huge numbers, but have been forced to stay away for the last two years to stop the spread of a deadly bird flu which struck the colony.

Nature-lovers could still watch the wildlife from boat trips, but were not allowed to land, and now that restriction will be lifted next month.

Two years ago, rangers collected more than 6,000 dead birds. In 2023, the disease was still present but the numbers of dead fell by around 40%, giving hope that the birds were developing some immunity.

The Northern Echo: Rangers collected hundreds of dead birds.Rangers collected hundreds of dead birds. (Image: PA)

Rangers will continue to monitor the islands for signs of bird flu and could restrict landings again later in the breeding season.

Sophia Jackson, area ranger for the National Trust says: “We have been closely monitoring the impact of the disease on our breeding populations as part of international research into bird flu.

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“This has shown that the disease has had devastating impacts on some species and at some UK sites making our conservation efforts all the more important.

“Like at other sites, it seems that the disease has declined in our birds, although we will continue to closely monitor them as the breeding season starts again.”

Inner Farne will be the only island to open to visitor landings this year while National Trust trials limit opening.