The West Pier's residents - the starlings - were the first to draw attention to the fire (The Argus, March 29) and Irene Roughton raised some interesting points when she asked whether the bird chicks would have escaped or perished in the fire (Letters, same day).

There would have been some young pigeons on the pier as these birds' nesting time is March until September.

There may also have been the odd early starling hatchling as we have had such a mild March.

Sadly, none of these young birds would have been advanced enough the escape the flames.

The 50,000 starlings that have roosted on the derelict pier must be considered and allowed for in a new pier development - this amount of birds must not be ignored as their numbers are in decline.

The West Pier Trust has a duty alongside Brighton and Hove City Council to ensure the developer, St Modwen, makes provisions for the birds as part of the new structure.

Hamish Walke, a planning officer on the council, said "a study was needed on the impact of a new pier of the birds" (The Argus, February 25). No such study is needed.

The way the starlings have clung on to the damaged pier - even when it was smoking they were not deterred - proves the importance of the roost to these birds.

We may have lost the wonderful old pier but let us keep the magnificent spectacle of the roosting starlings over the new one.

-Gloria Wheatcroft, The Drive, Hove