Good news! Wild birds have been thriving during lockdown
Wild birds have positively benefited from the effects of lockdown, with many becoming braver and more widespread, a new study by the National Trust has found.
With humans out of the way, terns, falcons and cuckoos were able to spend most of the year roaming around tourist hotspots in peace, discovering new nesting sites usually dominated by visitors.
"During the spring nationwide lockdown, when there was less traffic and fewer people, we all heard deafening levels of birdsong and witnessed historic monuments and formal gardens colonised by wildlife," Ben McCarthy, head of conservation and ecology restoration at the National Trust, said.
"Nature's recovery is still a long way off, but the fact that people noticed what was around them during lockdown is something to be welcomed and a first step in nature's recovery."
As well as these stunning creatures, other noteworthy sightings this year include peregrine falcons nesting in the ancient ruins of Corfe Castle in Dorset, grey partridges wandering in a car park near Cambridge, and a cuckoo at Osterley in west London.
It has also been a great year for blossom, with many National Trust gardens and orchards reporting prolonged displays throughout March, April and May. Thanks to the mild winter and early warm weather, many fruit trees came into bloom two weeks earlier than usual.
Ben also explained his hope for people to continue respecting nature once the pandemic has shifted. He added: "When the pandemic is finally over, we want people to keep hold of this renewed connection with nature and help nature's recovery by sticking to paths, keeping dogs under control, maintaining a respectful distance to wildlife and taking any litter home."
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