Plastic Netting on Fat Balls

[Jim Ford]

We're alway told to remove the netting around fat balls, in case birds get their feet caught in it, and I've always gone along with this. Is there any evidence that birds have become entangled in fat ball netting, or is it just an 'urban/rural myth'?

There are plenty of potential entanglement hazards in nature eg. bundles of sheep wool, but the birds don't get caught in them when gathering for their nests.

Is it that someone in (say) the RSPB has said 'Hmm, birds could get caught in the netting', and the 'could get' has become 'do get' without any actual cases?

Jim

[Cowgirl]

Don't know the answer, but I think the nets are made of the same stuff as that cheap green garden net for your veg which I have definitely seen birds tangled up in (& rescued without harm). I don't use that anymore either. I hope it wasn't the same stuff used to net the pond where the heron died that would just be wrong.

It's horrible stuff, tangles up at even the slightest look or movement (bit like the Christmas tree lights) or maybe it's just me....?

[artdemole]

Dont know if still on threads but a post Netted Fat Balls 11.12.2006 by Dan Salter gives some reference to people who have or know birds legs caught in netting....

[Stinky Bob]

I thought I had read somewhere they can also cause beak damage

[Harold Smith]

I had a Blue Tit get caught in a fat net. Fortunately it managed to extracate itself without being hurt. Now I always take the nets off and place the balls in a hanging fat ball container.

Harold.

[Elizabeth B]

From the RSPB:

Mesh bags – a warning
Peanuts and fat balls are regularly sold in nylon mesh bags. Never put out any food in mesh bags. These may trap birds’ feet and even cause broken or torn off feet and legs. Birds with a barbed tongue, eg woodpeckers, can become trapped by their beaks.

More info here: The RSPB: Advice: How to feed birds

(I believe they have actually received reports of such things - including fatalities.)

[hobo1]

When we feed Fat Balls we always take the netting off .

[Monkey Orchid]

We always take the netting off our fat balls before putting them out. We use spiral cage feeders - see link below for a picture:

Spiral Fat Ball / Fruit Feeder

Or you can actually make your own DIY spiral-type feeders out of old wire coathangers. Just use some strong pliers to untwist the coathanger, and bend round into a spiral shape (you can use something round or cylindrical inside the spiral to help you form the shape).

[Simples]

There is plenty of evidence that birds have got feet and beaks caught in nets - just Google it. Anyway, why would anybody want to use the nets? They are totally unnecessary and environmentally unsound. Comparing them to sheep's wool is ludicrous, as they are made of an almost indestructible material.

The only arguments for nets come from suppliers of cheap fat balls who see a risk to their profits. The subject is not even worth debating - the answer is very simple: never use nets of any sort if you want a wildlife-friendly garden.

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by Simples

- the answer is very simple: never use nets of any sort if you want a wildlife-friendly garden.

Unfortunately one of my beech hedges has the soft-fruit green nylon mesh fixed all the way along its length, I presume put in when the hedge was either very young or after it was heavily cut back, as the hedge has grown through it, so it is about 150-250mm inside the hedge and an absolute devil to remove. It is indestructible and I'm having to cut it out little by little.