Berry Head guillemots: Marine disturbance monitored

Between March and July, up to 1,300 birds return to the headland to breed

A seabird colony is being be monitored by conservationists to see how it can be better protected from disturbance.

The guillemot population at Berry Head in south Devon is the largest breeding colony on the English Channel coast.

Countryside officer Noel Hughes said there had been a "continued issue with disturbance" from people on the water.

He added that fishing vessels, pleasure craft and paddle boarders could all potentially disturb the colony.

An Area of Special Protection, which extends up to 2,099ft (640m) from the cliffs, was introduced in 1988 to protect the birds.

Mr Hughes said the project would look at whether the current level of protection was working and to assess what type of activity caused disturbance to the birds.

Volunteers will watch the guillemots throughout the breeding season and record how they react to people and boats.

Between March and July, up to 1,300 birds return to the headland to breed.