A TV film crew has been called "disrespectful" for startling flocks of protected birds as they roosted at night.
The camera operators were filming near Brighton's West Pier on Sunday at around 9pm for the second series of Night Coppers, the Channel 4 show which follows police in Brighton and Hove as they navigate the city's nightlife.
The documentary is made by Brighton production company Blast! Films for Channel 4.
Blast! rejected allegations that it disturbed starlings and gulls on the pier, saying it took precautions to ensure wildlife was not affected.
The crew set up on the beach, just east of the i360, and switched on a high-powered video light to illuminate the West Pier.
This resulted in the birds which nest on the derelict structure, most of which are protected species, being startled and they flew away.
Environmentalist Steve Geliot, from Brighton, who has campaigned for action to protect the city's birdlife, said: "Why do birds like the pier? It is because it is a respite from human life. So why would we want to interfere with that?
"Who are we to interfere with their space? It is just disrespectful and unkind.
"When organisations like this behave disrespectfully towards wildlife, it encourages people to imitate it which sets a terrible precedent."
The crew used a drone to capture an aerial view of the birds in action. A drone bag was pictured on the beach alongside the camera crew.
A man who was walking on the beach at the time said: "I noticed the pier illuminated and I turned around to see the source of the light was these guys on the beach.
"I had already tried to take a photograph of the pier and it was in darkness so it was obvious to me when it became visible.
"My first reaction was to go over and speak with the crew. They had a camera, drone and lots of bags.
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"I introduced myself and asked what they were up to and they said 'We're filming a documentary and our director has said they want seagulls at night and we are hoping to coax the seagulls to come and eat some chips with the light'.
"I left and came back to still see the West Pier illuminated and they were throwing chips out to the birds and flying a drone around them.
"The birds were hysterically screeching and flying off the pier."
The land around the West Pier and i360 is owned by the West Pier trust.
Rachel Clark, chief executive of the West Pier Trust, said: "No permission was sought for filming and they didn't go past us in any way, shape or form.
"Companies should know the rules. The producer has apologised profusely and although they have got permission from the council, they didn't get it from us.
"The production company was really unhappy that this has happened, and I don't think it will happen again."
A spokeswoman for Blast! Films said: "Blast! Films were filming general shots of Brighton to be used in a forthcoming TV series. The intention was to illuminate the beach and not the West Pier. In illuminating the beach efforts were taken to not disturb the protected wildlife.
"The cameraman was operating his drone with required documents and within a safe distance from the West Pier so as not to disturb protected wildlife.
"Blast! Films has spoken to West Pier Trust and apologised for the misunderstanding regarding filming permits.
"The camera operator did express the intention of using a bag of chip to attract seagulls towards the camera, in the event, no seagulls appeared."
Channel 4 said it had nothing to add to what Blast! had said.
Brighton and Hove City Council did not repond to a request for a comment.
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