We were devastated by the news that yet more Swift nests have been disturbed by roofing contractors working on council-owned properties, this time in South Tyneside.
It is particularly galling that the contractor believed to be responsible, was the same contractor that was involved in the Consett roofing works that disturbed nesting Swifts last year.
It is likely that other cavity nesting birds, such as House Sparrow and Starlings, could also have been adversely affected.
This reiterates the need to get Councils to commit to protecting existing nesting sites and the need for all contractors and sub-contractors to be fully trained and briefed on the legislation around nesting birds ahead of any roofing works.
Both the BBC and the Guardian have reported on the incident.