A request has gone out to pilots of micro-light aircraft to avoid low flying over the Ayres Nature Reserve.

The area, which is owned by Manx National Heritage and the Department of Agriculture, is an important breeding ground for many seabirds, small mammals and insects.

The Manx Wildlife Trust is entrusted with providing wardens to monitor and protect the area from vandalism and misuse.

Director of the Trust Duncan Bridges says this year a real problem is being caused by micro-light pilots flying along the coast a few feet above the sand dunes, disturbing ground nesting birds such as Arctic Terns and Oystercatchers (audio file attached):

Duncan Bridges was speaking to Dan Davies on Talking Heads.

(Picture: An Oystercatcher, from bbc.co.uk).