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.