Footage of a speedboat hurtling through a beauty spot has sparked environmental concerns about visitors disturbing species facing extinction.

Sandwich and Pegwell Bay is a nature reserve and one of the county’s most important protected areas for migratory and breeding birds.

This is thanks to its nutrient-rich mudflats, saltmarsh and remote sandy beaches.

The reserve supports two bird species recently classified as red-list species – meaning their numbers are dwindling and they risk extinction – which are the common gull and the black-backed gull.

Overfishing, climate change and habitat loss have been highlighted as some of the reasons for the worrying statistics, but some conservationists say that recreational pressures are contributing to the declines.

It follows an incident in May where a boat was speeding and disturbing wildlife at the nature reserve.

The man who captured the film, who does not wish to be named, said: “As a regular birder who counts thousands of birds at Pegwell Bay, it is such a shame that events such as this are occurring at a Ramsar, SSSI, SAC-protected National Nature Reserve and SPA when it should be a safe haven for all wildlife."

Signage and information online clearly sets out rules for people when visiting the reserve.

But an influx of both locals and tourists continue to flout the restrictions, particularly during the hot summer weather, putting pressure on the wildlife.

Protected area warden Nina Jones said: “Sandwich and Pegwell Bay is a haven for wildlife and attracts an array of sea and migratory birds.

“It is a stunning place to get closer to nature but we are experiencing a growing amount of disturbance which is driving our precious wildlife away.

"From people breaching restricted areas to swim off Pegwell Bay's old hoverport to others walking across the mudflats and dog owners allowing their pets to chase seabirds in the dog control zone, each incident puts the survival of already vulnerable migratory birds at risk.

“We need spaces like this for our well-being and mindfulness, and it is wonderful people want to come here.

“But the failure to see beyond their own needs and respect the natural world around here will inevitably mean eventually, the wildlife – the thing that makes this area so special – will no longer be here.”

Last year, a video of a dog chasing sea birds while off the lead in a protected area surfaced prompting calls for owners to keep their pets under control.

It shows the dog running across the mudflats, a restricted part of the nature reserve which is a vital feeding ground for the birds.

Owners who breach the public space protection order by letting their dogs off the lead in the zone risk a £100 fine.

Council bosses introduced the measures in a bid to protect the precious wildlife in the area.