A SIDMOUTH photographer with an eye for birds came to the rescue of a feathered friend that fell victim to stormy seas this week.

A SIDMOUTH photographer with an eye for birds came to the rescue of a feathered friend that fell victim to stormy seas this week.

Kind-hearted Glen Road resident Iain Burns even put the stricken animal up for the night to ensure it made a full recovery.

Eagle-eyed Iain spotted a struggling guillemot “cowering” by a sea wall near the Bedford Hotel on Tuesday- which saw high winds and an extremely rough sea.

“It was obviously totally exhausted and trying to get out of the crashing waves of the incoming tide,” said Iain.

A closer inspection showed the bird had no broken bones, but Iain decided to take it home to ensure it was alright.

“It was quite docile at first, but as it regained its strength it made good use of its very sharp beak!” added Iain.

After a night of recovery, the guillemot allowed Iain to release it back into the swell at 8am on Wednesday.

“I knew it was fine as it was preening as it bobbed about on the waves,” said Iain.

Iain is currently completing a photographic work on Sidmouth and the surrounding valleys for a book he will launch in the summer.

The keen naturalist had braved all weathers to snap wildlife in the region.

“It’s amazing just how varied the bird life is along this section of the Jurassic Coast,” said Iain, who said he has spotted razorbills, oystercatchers, turnstones, guillemots, gannets, dunlin and a great crested grebe just off The Esplanade.