British Airways engineers have bidden a fond farewell to a young family of one of the UK’s rarest birds, which had been keeping them company in a hangar while the engineers carried out maintenance on aircraft.
The family of black redstarts, characterised by their red coloured tails, had been living in the hangar for two months. This week the fledglings christened their wings by following in the flight path of the aircraft they’d been watching leaving the hangar every day.
With fewer than 100 pairs of black redstarts remaining in the UK, the robin-sized birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and listed as a priority species for the London Biodiversity Action Plan.
The nest was found by British Airways engineer, Paul Lewis, who has a keen interest in ornithology.
Paul said: “I’ve been watching birds around the airport for the past 28 years. I’ve seen black redstarts throughout this time, but this is the first time we’ve found a nest.
“The male bird has been singing during the day and throughout the night, entertaining all of our engineering colleagues who work for the fleet support unit.
“The other engineers and I have been absolutely fascinated watching these birds going about their business while we’re going about ours, and we’re hopeful that they will breed here again next year.”
Five young birds successfully fledged from the nest this week, but their parents still remain, and their father continues to serenade the fleet engineers. British Airways is now working with Herts and Middlesex wildlife Trust to ensure that the rare birds’ new home remains protected.
Tim Hill, Conservation Manager at the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said:
“This is the first time we’ve heard of black redstarts nesting in an aircraft hangar. It’s so rare to come across breeding pairs and we’re pleased that British Airways has been supportive in protecting their home.
“Although relatively unknown, the black redstart is actually a rarer British breeding bird than even the osprey or golden eagle. Their natural habitat is bare rocky terrain in the uplands but they have now adopted industrial areas and abandoned land in towns and cities.
“Urban regeneration is the principal cause of the black redstarts population decline, and as more areas are redeveloped the birds are left with fewer places to thrive.
“Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are working with partners across Hertfordshire and Middlesex to deliver projects that will conserve habitats for black redstarts and other wildlife across all habitats.”
As well as being home to the black redstarts, the hangar houses British Airways’ Airbus aircraft while engineers carry out maintenance.
Airbus A321-200s Black redstarts
Number in British Airways fleet 18 7
Wingspan (m) 34.1 0.22
Length (m) 44.5 0.14
Weight (kg) 48,100 0.018
Speed (mph) 511 28
As the species is so small in size, and on site there are only the odd pair breeding each year, the birds are of no concern regarding any impact to British Airways equipment, aircraft or facilities.
