Tagging programme aims to slow decline of kittiwakes

The researchers aim track the movements of up to 30 birds at the seabird colony by attaching small tags fitted with a satellite tracking system.

The charity tagged five kittiwakes in the area last year and found one had travelled over 100 miles to the Dogger Bank in the middle of the North Sea to feed.

By tracking the movements of a much larger number it is hoped this year's research will provide a more information about the location of key feeding areas and the distances kittiwakes travel.

Kittiwakes are an amber-listed species, which means they are of medium conservation concern.

In the past 20 years the national breeding population has dropped by 48 per cent. This is mirrored at Bempton Cliffs, where numbers have declined by more than 50 per cent over the same period –down from 85,000 pairs to less that 38,000.

The RSPB scientist leading the project, Liz Mackley, said: "Tagging kittiwakes can be tricky work. Attaching the tag is only the beginning as you also have to recover it from the bird a day later so the data can be downloaded.

"However, it is well worth the effort. The more we know about the feeding areas and foraging distances of kittiwakes, the better chance we have of protecting them in the future.

"We can use the information to help influence the designation of Marine Conservation Zones in the North Sea, as well as help determine our position on offshore development proposals."