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Cliff top cameras give RSPB visitors a birds-eye view

Last modified: 19 February 2008

Ellins tower and lighthouse, South Stack Cliffs
Eilin's tower and lighthouse at South Stack Cliffs, RSPB reserve - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 6277000_00140_002)

New cameras fixed to cliffs at the RSPB South Stack nature reserve will give visitors breathtaking close-up views of the nesting birds at the nature reserve.

A team of climbers from Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre at Conwy, will abseil down the cliff face to install two cameras on the remote locations. 

One camera will show close-up images from the breeding colonies of puffins, razorbills and guillemots, whilst a second will be fixed near the nest of a pair of choughs – the rarest member of the crow family.  Later this year, a third camera will be positioned on Ellins Tower looking out on the spectacular coastal panorama.

Dave Bateson, RSPB South Stack Warden, said:
‘South Stack is already such a memorable and dramatic setting.  The sights and sounds of these large seabird colonies against the stunning coastal backdrop is an overwhelming experience.  Now the experience will be enhanced with privileged nest-side views of the birds.  We are looking forward to getting the kind of footage that makes visitors want to come back time and again.’

The live images will be beamed to television screens inside the RSPB information point at Ellins Tower, where visitors can watch all the action from the seabirds.  Footage of the nesting puffins is sure to be a hit.  Their colourful beaks and cheeky characters make puffins one of the most popular UK seabirds and a favourite among South Stack visitors.

The chough nest camera will also be a highlight.  Choughs, with their striking red legs and beak, are a significant species here, as Wales is home to two-thirds of the UK’s nesting chough population.

John Cousins, Director of Training at Plas y Brenin said:
‘As climbers and sea kayakers we really appreciate the cliffs of South Stack and the wonderful variety of wildlife in the area. Climbers have very successfully maintained voluntary access agreements to specific parts of these cliffs for many years and we are therefore delighted to be able to help RSPB in this project and enable the general public to get a birds-eye, or indeed climbers-eye, view of the area.’

The cliff top camera project would not have been possible without the aid of funding from the AONB Environment Development Fund who provided £8000, and Environment Wales, who provided £4,250, towards the project. This money has been instrumental in helping to purchase the necessary equipment that will be installed on site.

For more information about visiting RSPB South Stack and the information point at Ellins Tower, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/reserves telephone (01407) 764973 or email southstack@rspb.org.uk

Nature reserves