Marine & Coastal

Seabird Colony Disturbance and Human Activity

Human disturbance at seabird colonies during the breeding season causes significant welfare and conservation harm.

Key Facts

Flushing adult birds from nests leaves eggs and chicks exposed to weather and predators
Repeated disturbance at puffin and gannet colonies increases nest abandonment rates
Boat-based disturbance during seal pupping season causes cub mortality
Statutory protection of seabird colonies under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 applies
Licensed researchers use observation protocols that minimise disturbance effects

Welfare Considerations

Disturbance events cause acute stress, nest abandonment and chick mortality. Repeated boat approaches, drone flights and on-foot intrusions during breeding season can reduce productivity and cause significant welfare harm to individual birds and their offspring.

What You Can Do

Maintain a 100m minimum distance from seabird colonies when visiting by boat
Never fly drones near seabird or seal colonies without research licences
Follow RSPB guidelines for responsible wildlife watching
Report repeated disturbance incidents to the local wildlife trust or police wildlife crime unit