Chris Packham criticises anti-bird netting on Cambridge University trees

28th February

By Press Association 2020

Chris Packham

Chris Packham has branded Cambridge University’s move to cover a row of trees with nets to stop birds from nesting as “absolutely outrageous”, with activists from Extinction Rebellion responding by tearing some of the netting down.

The conservationist’s social media post was prompted by photographs of the trees, with their branches completely encased in netting, on the university’s West Campus.

He wrote: “Seriously? I thought we’d been through this last year! This is absolutely outrageous!”

Chris Packham

✔@ChrisGPackham

Seriously ? I thought we'd been through this last year ! This is absolutely outrageous ! @Natures_Voice @WildlifeTrusts https://twitter.com/birdman1066/status/1232988999981129728 …

Stewart Abbott@birdman1066

Is this anything to do with you @Cambridge_Uni ? Absolutely deplorable decision to put these nets up. #netsdownfornature #nestsnotnets @ChrisGPackham @IoloWilliams2 @Natures_Voice @jazzy_jeff44

The Cambridge branch of Extinction Rebellion described the netting as “appalling” and demanded that it be removed.

It later posted photos of activists tearing down some of the netting under cover of darkness, adding: “We’ve freed some of the Cambridge Uni trees from their nets.”

The RSPB has previously said it is concerned by the use of netting on trees, hedges and bushes to prevent birds from nesting.

It is campaigning for laws to be introduced which would commit governments to ensure the recovery of nature, meaning such practices would come under greater scrutiny.

XR Cambridge@xr_cambridge

"Under cover of darkness on Thursday night, Extinction Rebellion Cambridge activists removed some of the netting, and discovered one willow had also been filled with foam to stop birds nesting in its holes."

https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/chris-packham-condemns-bird-netting-installed-on-trees-for-university-of-cambridge-as-absolutely-outrageous-9101104/?fbclid=IwAR05MUr8k6vISbBj3pGJseucCG5dm_MXfljt_gQlWl5qzQRI6V6TU3tkR70 …

Chris Packham condemns bird netting installed on trees for University of Cambridge as ‘absolutely...

Extinction Rebellion has removed some of it under cover of darkness.cambridgeindependent.co.uk

It is an offence to disturb nesting birds once they have arrived, but the practice of installing netting to keep them away is legal.

A Cambridge University spokesman said: “Trees near the Whittle Laboratory have had nets put over them to discourage birds from nesting in them, so they will not be disturbed by work to expand the lab.

“The netting will be checked for wildlife three times a day.”

Source

Ovington residents oppose anti-bird netting

06/07/2019

Villagers in Ovington, Northumberland, are challenging a developer that has erected bird netting. The nets went up last November in the village, covering a large hedgerow along Post Office Lane, forcing the local parish council to register a number of objections.

Last November Malcolm Buttery, of Stockton, applied for planning permission to build a detached dwelling and garage, with the nets placed during the spring of this year. Ovington Parish Council said: "Ovington Parish Council and many residents of Ovington village are strongly opposed to the hedgerow netting which has now been in place for approximately four months. 

"There is no evidence of the netting in Ovington being monitored. It has also been poorly maintained and the netting does not fully enclose the hedge.” The parish council has written to both the applicant's ecological consultants and the county council to express its concern. The proposed development has led to 26 objections.

The developments in Ovington are the latest in a run of anti-bird netting incidents, including cases in Somerset and Cumbria.

Source

There’s outrage over the way that a parliamentary debate on anti-bird netting ended

Glen Black 

14th May 2019

MPs debated the impact and legality of anti-bird netting on 13 May. Anti-netting campaigners welcomed the debate, which came after a petition gained more than 355,000 signatures. But the way it ended left campaigners absolutely fuming.

The issue

Labour MP Mike Hill led the cross-party debate on netting. Developers use the practice to prevent birds from nesting in their chosen location such as trees, hedgerows, rafters and cliffs. Interfering with already-nesting birds is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. So developers get around this law by putting up nets that stop birds from being able to nest in the first place. But conservationists and other wildlife advocates have condemned netting for seriously disrupting birds’ natural breeding patterns. Furthermore, as Hill said in his introduction to the debate:

the issue goes well beyond the detrimental effect of netting on nesting birds; netting affects the wellbeing of other wildlife, as well as having environmental consequences.

The debate took place after a petition on the government’s website reached more than 355,000 signatures. The debate noted this display of public concern. Conservative MP Cheryl Gillan, for example, said that more than 1,000 of the signatures came from her constituency alone and this reflected a “great concern” for the environment. And Hill described the petition as having “raised plenty of interest… and strong feelings”.

Agreement across the floor

MPs across political lines broadly agreed with the sentiment of the petition. Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb highlighted the use of netting on cliffs in Bacton, north Norfolk, and emphasised the need for “close collaboration” between councils and groups such as the RSPB to “absolutely properly… protect birds”. Meanwhile, SNP MP John McNally said that his “feeling is that this practice is in no way acceptable”. And Luke Pollard, a Labour Co-operative MP, said:

Read on