Berry Head National Nature Reserve is excited to confirm that a brand new cliff camera will be installed next year and will overlook the Reserve’s guillemot colony.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust have been keen to replace the original camera since it stopped working in 2012. The installation will be in time to capture the next guillemot breeding season and will have the ability to relay images back to the Visitor Centre and later will be live on the Trust website.
Whilst the Trust has provided capital towards the project, a number of other organisations have offered help in raising capital or providing funds towards its annual maintenance.
Premier Park, who manage the Trust car parks at the NNR, Cockington Court and Anstey’s Cove, and the Trust’s insurance company, WPS, were keen to be involved in the project and have both made significant contributions.
Most recently, a very generous donation was awarded to the Trust this week by the Friends of Berry Head. Through their various fundraising activities the group have raised £2,100 which will not only help to purchase the new camera but also a new projector for the Visitor Centre.
Countryside Officer, Noel Hughes said:
“The guillemot colony here at the reserve is regionally, if not nationally, significant and to have the use of a HD camera such as this is a tremendous boost. This camera will allow us to show the birds in all their glory, especially in the breeding seasons. In addition the technology is there to allow us to engage with people without them even visiting the site, either as an interested member of the public or to grant access to students to use the camera for studies. It is then hoped these studies will help us better understand and protect these special birds.
“I think this project has been a fantastic example of stake holder engagement. It showed how the community working with partner organisations and led by the trust can make these projects happen. Even in these difficult economic times, we can together, continue to lead the way in terms of conservation, technology and community engagement. A big thanks to all in helping this prospect become a reality”
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