The Isle of May is an important a wildlife site. A nature reserve since 1956 (now owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage) it is one of Britain’s longest-running bird observatories (1934) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In the summer breeding season, over 200,000 seabirds of 12 species nest on the island, including Puffins, Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Guillemots, Shags, Terns and Eider Duck. The most numerous are Puffins, numbering some 70,000 pairs. The island is also home to the largest colony of grey Seals in Eastern Britain, hosting more than 3,000 such animals during the pupping season in November and December. In 2003, the SSC mounted two cameras on the Isle of May. Remotely operated by visitors to the SSC, these cameras are extremely popular with visitors to the Centre. The problem lies with the available bandwidth used by the cameras, which allows only one camera to be used at a time. (We also have cameras on the bass rock, the islands of Fidra and Craigleith and Dunbar Castle). We would like to upgrade the transmission system to allow both cameras to be used simultaneously and provide sufficient capacity for the additional cameras to be installed in the future and viewed simultaneously. The project will enhance the public’s virtual access to one of the most important grey seal colonies in the United Kingdom and the largest on the East Coast. By enhancing this access, the public will learn more of the area’s natural heritage and of the importance it has to the whole community as a breeding ground. To reduce the environmental impact, all our cameras are solar-powered. Project Costs Digital Microwave system, power and fibre infrastructure £39,605 Upgrade existing cameras and install additional fixed webcam £15,330 Tern remote – controlled camera and fixed web camera (cameras will be co-located) £9,035 Eider remote-controlled camera and fixed web camera (cameras will be co-located £9,035 Boat transport for installation £600 Creation of Isle of May Zone and new interpretation within Centre £6,000 Total £79,605.00 The project will improve our ability to deliver environmental and conservation messages and, by attracting more visitors, thus improving our sustainability.