The discovery of a rare bird’s nest temporarily halted excavation by contractors building the M25 service station at Cobham.

The skylark nest was spotted by site manager Michael Stopp in a mound of earth due to be excavated at the site near Downside.

Mr Stopp said: “I was walking over a mound of earth that was due to be dug up and taken off site, when something flew out from under my foot.

“I knew immediately it was a skylark from the information the ecologist had given me. I looked down and saw the nest.”

The skylark was picked up by the ecologist and moved to safety from the building site which used to be farmland.

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds the population of the skylark halved during the 1990s, raising its risk status to red.

The species is larger than a sparrow but smaller than a starling. They spend most of their time on the ground and crouch down when alarmed or nervous.

Another rare bird, the Dartford Warbler, blocked new development in Cobham and other towns in rural Surrey in 2006, over fears an increase in household cats and dogs would kill them off.

Campaigners against the service station had believed the EU regulations protecting the Warbler might block the M25 development, but their hopes were dashed when planners were reassured there was enough open space for dog walkers in areas where no birds were nesting.

Mr Stopp said: “It is really nice to be able to try and preserve the local wildlife where we can while delivering this important facility for motorists.”

The hotel works began last summer and are due to be finished by late summer.

For more on the skylark visit rspb.org.uk/skylark

Sound clip courtesy of the RSPB.