Wildlife organisations want to protect species like the arctic tern

The tiny Foulney Island lies just off the coast near Barrow and is one of the county's most important nature reserves and home to rare species of birds.

It is the only spot in the north-west of England where arctic terns breed and the area is carefully managed.

But there are fears some mussel pickers could be frightening the birds away.

The island is uninhabited except for species of birds, including the ringed plover and oystercatchers.

Wildlife grouops say the spring tide is very low at the moment and mussel beds around the island are exposed, attracting gangs of mussel pickers from as far afield as Wales and Scotland.

Kerry Milligan, a senior reserve officer with Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said the activities are putting birds off the nests.

Sanctuary order

She said: "We have about 10 ringed plover nesting there and this week I saw the eggs (exposed) and if this happens for too long they chill and won't hatch, so we are concerned.

"The terns should be turning up any day and once they start nesting we potentially have real problems.

"We saw 60 to 70 people on Monday out on mussel beds loading a boat.

"We don't have a problem with musseling, but the way they are accessing the mussel beds - there are quad bikes and tractors going up and down."

The island is subject to a sanctuary order meaning anyone disturbing a bird can be prosecuted.

Signs are now being put up warning people to keep away from the area.