Sand Martins fly 3,500 miles from Africa to roost on Norfolk coast only to find council has covered their nests in netting to protect eroding cliffs

Black nets were put in place to keep migrating birds away from cliffs in Norfolk 

Nets were erected so a project to combat coastal erosion could be carried out 

Campaigners called out the netting as birds were left blocked from their nests 

North Norfolk District Council said it would take down part of the netting 

By HENRY MARTIN FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 18:48, 9 April 2019 | UPDATED: 23:25, 9 April 2019

A council has agreed to remove part of a controversial cliff netting that is blocking birds from their nests when they return from a 3,500-mile trip Africa. 

Swathes of black nets were temporarily put in place to keep migrating birds away this summer over fears that they could be harmed by a project to combat coastal erosion at Bacton, Norfolk.

But bird lovers were left outraged because the netting for the £22million sea defence scheme prevented returning birds from using their nesting holes. 

The so-called Sandscaping project, which is the largest of its kind to be carried out in the UK, involves dumping 1.8 million cubic metres of sand on a 3.5 mile stretch of beach to help prevent flooding.

It will provide what is described as 'robust protection' to safeguard the giant gas terminal at Bacton, which handles a third of the UK's gas supply and protect local homes for the next 20 years.

Exhausted Sand Martins flying 3,500 miles from their winter homes in Africa have been arriving in Bacton in recent days to find their burrows in the sandy cliffs have been blocked off.

Bird watchers were horrified to see the 'heartbreaking' scene of the birds trying in vain to find a way through the netting, which is hanging over different areas with burrows on a 1,000 yard long section of the cliff.

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Swallows and Sand Martins arrive in North Wales weeks ahead of schedule

Bird Notes columnist Julian Hughes of RSPB Cymru reveals what birds have been spotted in the past week and lists 13 upcoming wildlife events

By  Andrew Forgrave Rural Affairs Editor

23:16, 18 FEB 2019

This week’s plume of warm air, originating in the Sahara Desert, looks set to bring early migrant birds to Wales.

A Swallow feeding last Friday over gardens in Morfa Bychan, near Porthmadog , was exceptionally early, almost a month earlier than the first records in 2018, when arrival was delayed by bad weather in Spain and the “Beast from the East”.

Further Swallows were spotted across the UK over the weekend.

Friday’s Swallow was followed by the first Sand Martin in North Wales on Saturday at Morfa Nefyn , joint earliest in Britain this year, along with one at New Brighton in north Wirral.

Sand Martins are usually mid-March arrivals, while House Martins typically get to North Wales in the first days of April, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one is reported here this week; several House Martins were seen in southern England over the weekend, with two making it as far as northern Scotland.

These early arrivals will need to track down early-emerging flying insects, so the best place to look is over freshwater pools where non-biting midges hatch from the water.

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New project in Peterborough to help survival of rare birds reaches completion

Paul Grinnell

A new initiative to encourage the growth of wildlife at Peterborough’s Nene Park is flourishing

Called Meadows and Martins, the venture has been supported with an £18,000 grant from waste specialists Mick George.

The aim is provide a safe breeding area for the rare sand martins and encourage the growth of many wild flowers.

The funding has allowed the purchase of specialist Amazone Cut and Collect equipment to ensure the proper maintenance of grassland and meadows to encourage the growth of wildflowers.

And volunteers have helped create an extension to the sand martin bank of nest boxes, doubling the total number of chambers available for the nesting birds to 72.

Over the last few weeks a camera has been fitted into the back of one of the nest boxes so live footage can be captured and transmitted to the Visitor Centre to educate visitors and allow conservation monitoring.

Adrian Oates, head of fundraising at Nene Park Trust said: “Previously the nest boxes have been full of Sand Martins so we are confident the new features will be put to good use.

“Our Sand Martins will certainly enjoy feeding over the improved wildflower meadows.

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