In recognition of its importance as the largest seabird colony in the North East Atlantic, St Kilda acquired its first dedicated Seabird and Marine Ranger in 2005. The National Trust for Scotland appointed a member of staff, Sarah Money, whose main tasks are to monitor selected populations of seabirds to detect long term trends and to carry out additional research projects. The Seabird and Marine Ranger works closely with the seabird team of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Monitoring focuses on populations of puffin, kittiwake, guillemot, razorbill, European storm-petrel and Manx shearwater. Research projects include investigations on the breeding biology of Leach’s storm-petrel.