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Birdwatchers' control tower disguise at Heathrow

PA Media A man and three schoolchildren stand in front of a bird hide shaped like an airport control tower. They are in a wooded area. A plane is taking off in the background. PA Media
Biodiversity manager at Heathrow Airport, Adam Cheeseman, and local schoolkids Subhan, Sarrah and Amin enjoy the Nature Traffic Control Tower

A new shelter to allow watchers to observe birds at close quarters near Heathrow has been designed to look like an air traffic control tower.

Called a bird hide, it allows enthusiasts to watch wildlife at a nature reserve on land owned by the west London airport.

Heathrow said its 13 nature reserves were home to 79 bird species, including kingfishers and barn owls, as well as rare spiders and hundreds of butterfly species.

But a local MP says if Heathrow is serious about protecting and promoting biodiversity, "it could start by taking its plans for a third runway off the table".

PA Media A pair of hands holding a large pair of binoculars protrude from the gap in the bird hide, a black plastic structure. There are trees and water visible in the background.PA Media
The bird hide is part of an attempt by Heathrow to raise awareness of its nature plan

The installation of the bird hide is part of an attempt by Heathrow to raise awareness of its nature plan, which it says "outlines how the airport will better understand and reduce its impact on ecosystems".

This includes expanding the amount of land the airport manages for conservation.

Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham, told BBC London: "We welcome all initiatives that Heathrow and any other organisation takes to improve biodiversity and encourage people to take an interest in nature.

"But at the end of the day, as things stand, Heathrow wants to build a third runway.

"The Climate Change Committee and various experts have said there is no way that Heathrow will be able to meet its climate change commitments - ultimately, that's going to be very bad for our biodiversity."

In January, the government announced its backing for an expansion of Heathrow as part of its plans for growing the economy.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she wanted to see "spades in the ground" in the current Parliament and for planes to start using a new third runway by 2035.

A woman with long fair hair is standing in a forested area. She is wearing a light coloured jacket with a cream and black scarf.
Head of sustainable strategy at Heathrow, Rosie Howell, says the airport can "co-exist" with nature

Heathrow said it had invested £250m in carbon and sustainability projects since 2022.

Rosie Howell, head of sustainable strategy at the airport, spoke to BBC London at the site of the new bird hide.

She said: "We're located in a community and we can manage land in a way that benefits nature and the people that live around us.

"We're in a beautiful, natural spot that can co-exist with an airport that's on its doorstep.

"What we've done is to look at the land we have and to acquire extra land around the airport to make sure we can benefit biodiversity at the same time as operating here."

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