The colony is one of only a few in the south coast and can be found on the cliffs just outside the town.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said in this area the numbers had dropped from 800 pairs in 2007 to around 400 pairs this year.

The RSPB, which is gearing up to show people the colony as part of its Aren't Birds Brilliant! scheme, says this worrying decline is cause for concern.

Kate Whitton, Aren't Birds Brilliant! officer, said, "This is devastating news for the Seaford kittiwakes, and another worrying decline in English seabird populations.

"Last year around 800 pairs and their chicks left Seaford to spend the winter over the Atlantic but only 400 odd have returned. Something has gone wrong somewhere, but exactly what is a mystery. Countless things could have happened out at sea — they could have hit stormy weather, or not found enough food, or it could be something else entirely. There's still a lot we don't know about sealife, which is why protecting it is so very important."

Last year the organisation said they were appalled after one kittiwake had to be put down when it was found with a crossbow bolt through its body and wings.

The seabird was found, still alive, on Newhaven Beach after the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service was contacted.
The rare south east colony birds are named after their unique call and they are gentle looking, medium-sized gulls with a small yellow bill and dark eye.

Kate added, "Despite the decline this is still a brilliant colony to watch. You'll hear their unusual 'kitti-waaark' call, and see countless chicks nesting on ledges so steep they take your breath away. These gulls only make contact with land once a year when they visit the cliffs to nest, so now is the time to come."

The RSPB's Aren't Birds Brilliant! team will be at the eastern end of Seaford Promenade from June 25 to August 10, showing visitors incredible close-up views of the kittiwakes and their chicks from 10am to 5pm daily. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant
The RSPB is also currently fighting to protect the sea directly around the Seaford colony, along with 50 other UK sites through its Safeguard Our Sealife campaign.

For more information visit the website at www.rspb.org.uk/marine