Regards the previous comments, if anyone comes across this sort of activity and reports it to the police could they make sure the report is flagged up for the divisional/force wildlife liaison officer. Also if anyone comes across people involved in this activity, try and establish if they are using a vehicle and obtain the registration number. We can do a lot more with a vehicle reg than a colour or make. Also can people refer to the 'who's who' page on the Manchester Birding website. There are contact numbers on there.
Greater Manchester Police currently have no Wildlife Liason Officer! A sign of the times maybe?
Regards the previous comments, if anyone comes across this sort of activity and reports it to the police could they make sure the report is flagged up for the divisional/force wildlife liaison officer. Also if anyone comes across people involved in this activity, try and establish if they are using a vehicle and obtain the registration number. We can do a lot more with a vehicle reg than a colour or make. Also can people refer to the 'who's who' page on the Manchester Birding website. There are contact numbers on there.
I agree with Mike's sentiments, this isn't the the work of a BTO ringer. I would of thought anybody illegally trapping birds for the caged bird trade would at least be in attendance of the nets? Not much point of caging dead birds (unless your a Monty Python enthusiast!). Regarding the nets, a quick search on eBay will reveal a host of mega cheap mist nets from the Far East. There are some pretty sick people out there that go out of there way to harm any form of wildlife from cats & dogs to birds & reptiles, the sooner these people are caught the better. Now the flip side of all this is? I have permission from Manchester City Council to erect mist nets in public places in strict accordance of the BTO guidelines, ie mist nets MUST be attended at all times, MUST not obstruct public highways etc. As you can see there is a stark difference in both activities and I suggest you contact your local Police station and report this matter ASAP.
Hi Phil, The fact that you found a dead bird in unattended netting is a strong indicator that this is not a legal operator with a ringing licence. Were the nets the sort that ringers use (if you are familiar with these) or were they some home made efforts? Even if they were proper mist nets they could still of course be stolen; -photos of the scene and net types would be useful for the police to work on.
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Hi people first post from me and it's not a good one It's been recommended elsewhere that I put this on here to see whether anyone can shed any light on what is described.
I've notified all the authorities that need to be notified over it, so that's covered. But I fear that this may be happening elsewhere in the Manchester area, so by bringing it to people's attention at the coalface so to speak, we may be able to stamp it out before it takes a real hold.
I received this e-mail from a friend yesterday. The area it refers to is the west Oldham/East Manchester boarder (Moston Brook).
Thanks Phil
Just letting you know that netting is being put in the trees on the Broadway land to trap birds, i.e. down the big steps near the Lancaster Club near the stream at the bottom.
A friend of ours saw several caught up in the netting and managed to release them. There were a couple of Robins, a Blackbird, Goldfinches/Greenfinches and a couple of others. Unfortunately, one was dead, a Greenfinch I think it was. He ripped all the netting down and looked round in case there was any more there was, so hes ripped that down too.
He put a couple of big notices up to tell people to stop trapping the birds but obviously people like that wont be bothered about notices. The notices have since been ripped down too.
It doesnt mean to say its only happening on this particular piece of land either. It could be happening in other places. Will you please keep a look out in Brookdale Park and any others you can think of. Clayton Vale?
We all need to keep our eyes open in future and be aware and tell others so they can look out for trapped birds.
Bird numbers are falling as it is and we certainly dont want people trapping them, etc.
This info has been passed on to Oldham and Ashton parks people.
Kind regards,
My question to you is "has anyone else on this site ever come across this before, or is it a new phenomena?"
As to the reasons why someone would do this I can only come to two conclusions as it's not been carried out officially as I've checked.
1. The birds are being taken for food. 2. Taken for the illicit trade in songbirds as caged birds common in Eastern Europe.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 30th of November 2012 08:00:25 AM
