Attracting the birds has never been a problem for some of us.

But for a company which designs hi-tech scarecrow devices, doing exactly the opposite proved quite a challenge.

Scarecrow Bio-acoustic Systems, based in Uckfield, has now adapted its equipment designed to scare off pigeons and seagulls to help recolonise a nest of rare seabirds.

The company has been instrumental in bringing back the Sooty Tern to Denis Island in the Seychelles after an absence of more than 100 years.

Usually Scarecrow's technology is used to disperse problem birds such as seagulls from public areas like Newhaven Marina and Gatwick Airport by playing their distress call.

This time the Sooty Terns' nesting call was played and over a period of three months the birds were gradually attracted to the island.

Tony Walker, chief executive of Scarecrow, said: “The trials have been going really well and we are delighted to be involved.

“We promote humane bird treatment and are against things like shooting or falconry, we just try to move the birds on.

“This was completely different and attracting the birds back tot he island has been a challenge but it looks as though it is going to be a success.”

A large population of Sooty Terns have been attracted to the island and the hope is they will return to breed next year.

There are about 750,000 pairs of Sooty Terns nesting on Bird Island in the Seychelles, just 25 miles away from Denis Island.

Following human settlement, Denis Island became densely forested and, because Sooty Terns nest in open spaces, the birds were lost.

The new owners of the island have sacrificed two hectares of forest to tempt the seabirds back.

This has created an open space where the plants favoured by Sooty Terns have been encouraged to grow.

Ornithologist Chris Feare, who has overseen the project, said: “What we have learned this year paves the way for further trials in 2009, when we will add two speakers broadcasting out to sea.

“This should help us to persuade more birds to land, with the hope of some of them laying eggs.”