CONSERVATIONISTS fear migrating birds could be left without vital food for their long journeys to Europe and Africa after council workers ‘massacred’ a wildflower meadow by trimming it back too early.

Dozens of rare species fly over Wanstead during the summer months, using the River Roding and major roads as flight paths towards the Thames estuary - stopping off to feed on seeds, fruit and insects along the way.

Worried residents believe their journey could now be disrupted after workmen used an electric mower to cut down hundreds of plants in the Selsdon Road meadow last week.

Richard Cooper, who has helped manage the site for eight years, says the work was unnecessary and carried out far too early in the year - starving passing birds of vital food.

He said: “I have no idea why they decided to mow the meadow now, but it couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

“They were only supposed to cut in once, towards the end of the year, but they have massacred it before the seeds had time to set.

“They cut down geraniums, knapweed, scabius and a wide variety of grass.

“There’s some seed left in the ground but not enough for the birds.

“Finches, martins, swifts and other birds rely on sites like this, and without plants here they’re far less likely to land.

“The same thing happened last year. There seems to have been a break down in communication at the council.”

Tim Webb, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), said: “Birds do rely upon the fruit and seeds that habitats like this provide, and sadly they are hard to find in urban areas.

“At this time of year birds such as house sparrows are in particular need of food.

“Whether or not the contractors meant to do this, is appears to have been an unfortunate mistake.

Redbridge Council has yet to comment.