Anti-nesting netting poses threat to birds
ANTI-NESTING netting that could see the end of a pioneering kittiwake colony has been branded an “absolute disgrace” by a leading naturalist.
Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, is also chairman of the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership that seeks to protect the internationally important nesting colony of the birds along the river.
The kittiwakes, now red-listed as being of conservation concern globally because of declining populations, first nested around North Shields ferry landing in 1949 before expanding up the river to Newcastle and Gateshead.
The North Shields population has been studied for more than 70 years and last year raised 16 young. But now netting has been installed at their breeding site at Ferry Mews, which it is feared will mean the end of the colony when the birds return from a winter at sea at the end of next month.
A total of 6,000 people have signed a petition started by North Shields ornithologist Dan Turner on change.org, calling for the netting to be taken down.
The partnership includes the Natural History Society of Northumbria, RSPB, Northumberland and Durham Wildlife Trusts, Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside councils, Newcastle University and individual researchers and ornithologists. There was widespread concern in 2018 after a series of incidents where kittiwakes became accidentally caught, and some died, as a result of unfit bird deterrent netting in Newcastle and Gateshead.
Mr Pratt said: “What has happened at
North Shields is an absolute disgrace. This is a historic colony but the netting has gone up at the drop of a hat without consulting anybody. This is a rare bird in decline across the world and a protected species, a lightweight bird which is a fish feeder out at sea.”
He said the netting would either prevent the birds from attempting to nest or if they managed to breed it could end in youngsters being lost. “We don’t want to see birds getting tangled in netting and chicks dying,” said Mr Pratt.
The partnership has delivered a letter to the landlord of the Ferry Mews building and residents, and Mr Pratt said: “We would like the landlord or owner to contact us and discuss what can be done to remedy this situation.”
The letter says: “Ferry Mews holds the only river-nesting kittiwakes in North Tyneside and it would be a real shame to lose them... We really hope that you might consider getting in touch so that we can discuss a longerterm vision. For nearly a decade, we have worked very closely with local businesses up and down the Tyne to offer support, provide information, and also advise on bird safety where such deterrents are involved. We hope that we can work with you too.”
Phil Scott, North Tyneside Council’s head of environment, said: “North Tyneside Council is committed to protecting the local wildlife and biodiversity, including the protection of kittiwakes, as clearly demonstrated by the North Tyneside and Newcastle Biodiversity Action Plan... As there are no legal powers available to the council to enforce the removal of this netting, we are currently working, alongside the Tyne Kittiwake Partnership, to explore a resolution that might suit all parties.”