Published: Thursday, 25th June, 2009 6:55am

Kittiwake threat highlighted at harbour

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AN INTERPRETATION panel warning of a threat of starvation to the town"s huge kittiwake colony has been unveiled at Dunbar Harbour.

Attending the unveiling on Wednesday were Councillor Paul McLennan, Dunbar Harbour Trust chairman Colin McWhannell, Scottish Seabird Centre chief executive Tom Brock, and Clive Barber, area manager of Viridor Waste Management.

The kittiwakes, housed in the ruins of Dunbar Castle, form the species" largest colony in a man-made structure in Scotland, with more than 1,000 nests.

However, they are endangered by a depleting population of sand eels – which make up a large portion of the birds" natural diet.

The birds have since changed their food source to pipefish, which they find harsd to digest, and can starve to death as a result.

The panel introduces visitors to the Dunbar colony, giving information on the birds" lifestyle and the environmental changes affecting them.

Dunbar Harbour Trust, the Scottish Seabird Centre, Viridor Waste Management and East Lothian Council have funded the illustrated panel.

Councillor Paul McLennan, East Lothian Council"s cabinet member for environment, said: 'I am pleased that the council has been able to support the installation of this panel, which raises awareness of the impact that our changing environment is having on the seabird population.'