Nets on buildings are killing birds

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for netting to be removed from buildings at Newcastle Quayside after a spate of incidents in which birds became trapped.

The latest incident took place over the weekend when a young kittiwake was stuck for around 24 hours on the Premier Inn building, near the Tyne Bridge. The bird was released on Sunday by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Some kittiwakes have perished as a result. The birds have either been strangled by the nets or have starved to death after being trapped for long periods of time, said John Anderson, founder of Blyth Wildlife Rescue,

“From ground level, you would not notice there was anything the matter. But from an elevated level from the Tyne Bridge, you can see directly over buildings and you can see dead birds or those that have been trapped. It’s quite a traumatic experience for them.”