Seabird chicks 'starved to death'

It is 30 years since kittiwakes returned to breeding in Sussex

As many as 200 kittiwake chicks have died of starvation at an important bird colony on cliffs in East Sussex.

Tests carried out at a veterinary laboratory showed the dead birds had not been getting enough food and were affected by high levels of parasites.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said it was a mystery why there was a lack of small fish for them to feed on off the coast of Seaford.

The number of dead chicks could be higher with some bodies washed away.

As well as a reduction in small fish levels - kittiwakes' principal food - the RSPB said: "It is also possible that the exceedingly hot weather proved too much for weakened birds."

Climate change

Rising temperatures have been cited as a possible cause of poor breeding seasons in colonies around some Scottish islands, where it is said fish populations are moving further north away from warmer waters.

The RSPB's Dan Parkinson said: "While it is way too easy to start blaming climate change here at Seaford, let's watch this space carefully.

"We can hope that this is a one-off and that fish shoals have just shifted their distribution this year and will be back next."

Kittiwakes catch live fish out at sea and only settle on land at their breeding cliffs.

The colony at Seaford can be seen from an RSPB viewpoint on the promenade which runs until 13 August.