Thousands of starlings have transferred their allegiance from one pier to another.
Independent consultants carried out a count of the birds last week in Brighton and Hove.
It was one of the conditions of planning permission granted to the Brighton West Pier Trust and developers St Modwen last year for restoring the pier.
Fewer than 3,000 starlings remain on the West Pier in contrast with more than 20,000 at the Palace Pier. In the past there have been huge flocks at the West Pier.
Trust chief executive Dr Geoff Lockwood said: "I am confident they will return when the West Pier is restored."
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