The two wardens on the Calf have been supplied with fresh food deliveries from the Manx Co-op in Port St Mary for many years.

But the store has suddenly decided to pull the plug on its help with this ’vital’ service.

’We had a phone call saying: "This is the last one",’ explained Tim Graham, chief executive officer at the Manx Wildlife Trust. We had to scrabble around to think about how to fill the gap. Our volunteers had to help. It was a faff. It came out of the blue. It did come as a shock.’

Two wardens live on the Calf from March to November each year.

Due to the nature of the role, much of their work is carried outside normal working hours, including weekends and bank holidays.

The bird warden’s main responsibility is to maintain the bird observatory operations on the site. This includes all bird netting, trapping and ringing operations, bird recording and information dissemination.

The Manx shearwater colonies are surveyed, including night-time catches, searches are carried out for storm petrels, and puffins are being encouraged to nest on the Calf.

The estate warden’s main role is to carry out the habitat and estate management and maintenance of the Calf.

Steve Clague from Port St Mary Boat Excursions drops off the order and picks up the food - around four boxes - and delivers it to the Calf weekly - subject to the weather.

He said he was shocked at the decision.

’Every other (store) manager managed to do the order. The reason they gave is they’re too busy.

’They decided without notice to stop doing this vital part of the running of the Calf that has been bringing business to the community of Port St Mary for 40 years or more going back to when Joughin’s was a store before it became Hansen’s.’

He added it bothers him because it does not reflect the usual community minded attitude in Port St Mary. Nor should it reflect the Co-op’s own stated commitment to the community, he said.

’I rang the Co-op in the UK about this and they suggested we use Tesco!’ said Steve. ’It doesn’t say this on the "community" board inside the door in Port St Mary Co-op!’

The MWT asked Shoprite in Port Erin to do the order, which they are doing.

’Shoprite have been amazing,’ said Tim.

’They are community minded. There is a different attitude. The other Co-ops we have dealt with are very inclusive.’

The Manx Independent contacted the Co-op but they declined to comment.