The black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros , is protected under Britain's Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. The legislation, however, only covers the bird during the breeding season. First noticed in 1926, their numbers increased significantly during the 1940s. But now extinction threatens the bird. Besides nesting sites, the birds need places supporting a wide range of plants and insects. London, after the bombing in 1940, provided the desired environment for the birds to flourish. Since redevelopment has destroyed its habitat, they now depend on new projects, such as the Millennium Dome. The London Wildlife Trust has advised local authorities to ensure that the bird's needs are protected ( Urban Wildlife News , Vol 16, No 4).