After a tumultuous week, with an outpouring of anger and grief across social media and the wider media, there is a positive outcome for wildlife after Sand Martins are reported to have returned to nest on the Norfolk coast.
It was reported in the media and by the RSPB that the council had put netting on the cliffs, creating a hazard for Sand Martins and obstructing their nesting sites. The nets were put up as part of a project to protect homes and businesses from coastal erosion, however the timing couldn't have been worse for Sand Martins as they returned to the site after wintering in Africa. Traveling all that way to find nest sites blocked could have had disastrous effects for the bird populations and the council came under intense pressure from wildlife groups and activists, including the RSP and Chris Packham.
The news that the netting had been removed was met with great celebrations across Twitter and Facebook, as Sand Martins were filmed returning and using the nest sites. Awareness of the practise of 'netting' has increased as a result and coined the hashtag #NetsDownForNature aswell as a feature on the One Show, petitions and a map to show where nets have been spotted.
The positive to take from the story is that people power won the day and the decision was reversed, a win for wildlife and proof that we can make a difference, that we must stand up and be counted and make our voices heard, in order to be the change we want to see.
Image from Stewart Abbott @birdman1066 on Twitter