It was hailed as a silver lining to the bleakest of clouds.

As the country collectively mourned the passing of so many friends and family members and others found themselves cut-off from loved ones, we took comfort in the fact that our wildlife seemed to be thriving.

The first few weeks of Coronavirus lockdown brought with them a string of endearing media stories. Kangaroos hopping down city streets, rabbits exploring English villages and fish spotted in the crystal-clear canals of Italy’s Venice.

Foxes, hedgehogs and badgers came out to play and were spotted en-masse. Meanwhile, a myriad of birds descended on our parks, waterways and gardens; free from the usual disruption of traffic, people and noise.

Sadly, wildlife campaigners are now suggesting it may not be such good news.

Nikki Williams, head of campaigns at the Wildlife Trusts, told the Guardian newspaper: “The current crisis means nature is losing out, because many organisations are having to scale back important work caring for special places, which they usually do with the vital help of thousands of volunteers.”

She explained there is a continual battle with the invasive plant Himalayan balsam, which smothers riverbanks and kills off native wildflowers. Without the work of conservationists, nature could lose out, and the task of workers will be twice as difficult next year.

The BTO’s Paul Stancliffe told the newspaper it is too early to tell whether the lockdown has helped with bird populations. He highlighted that observers are currently unable to carry out their vital work and that it will be some time before they can analyse the numbers.