Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty said "it's brilliant to see this" and told us that starlings were specifically covered in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (which we didn't know) which was adopted in 2012. It seems that quite a few of the actions in that plan subsequently fell away due to government cuts, and of course the Green Party lost control of the council for a while. But since since they have been back in control of the council they have been busy getting these very positive actions on biodiversity up and running, which is something to be very grateful for. There is a period of massive effort underway creating and restoring habitats, planting trees, wildflower meadows and of course pesticides are already banned within the city (public land). We are now scheduled to present this petition to full council for debate on April 7th. There are a couple of things you can do to help: 1. please write to the council thanking them for this work on biodiversity - eg when you see tree planting or wildflower areas, or the new vegetated shingle area at Black Rock, or for simply not mowing excessively. The council rarely get thanked for their work and it is important that they know how much we appreciate these positive actions. 2. We sold 100 organic t-shirts yesterday, which has raised £375 towards building more starling nest boxes. Another day like that and Louise's 100 nest boxes become 200. www.saveourstarlings.teemill.com 

Thank you for your amazing support for the starlings - they have all but finished their murmuration for this year and are ready for nesting season now. Steve and Lou