Hedge Netting by Property Developers

The RSPB response is a bit wishy-washy, isn’t it?

I wish its leadership would sometimes take a lead on such issues, instead of waiting to see which way the wind blows, then limply following behind.

For such a mighty behemoth, it punches well below its weight. In fact, for most of the time it’s almost invisible.

What ever happened to the campaigning zeal of the women who founded it? Where did it all vanish?

I was going to add my own thoughts to the previous post, but didn't do so because I was afraid of timing out again!

So here are my entirely personal thoughts on this matter:-
- a major project or development requires finance, manpower, materials, paperwork and the weather to come together. It is unrealistic to expect that this can be organised to avoid the nesting season on every occasion, though, of course, it would be preferable if it could.
- if I was a builder involved in a development that cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pounds, I would go ballistic if it was delayed because a dunnock had built a nest in a hedge
- taking those 2 thoughts into consideration, I think it is reasonable that a knowledgeable and appropriately qualified person should be able to take steps using properly designed equipment to discourage and prevent birds from nesting on the site.
- as the RSPB statement in my previous post says, this should be followed up by mitigation which would hopefully restore the nesting sites after a short-term disruption.

As you would expect, this type of problem is not new. I remember 30-odd years ago, when I was still working in industry, part of a major (£100 million plus) project was delayed because a kestrel nested in a redundant building that was due to be demolished. The problem could have ben avoided if the hole used by the kestrel had been covered over as soon as use of the building ended. Not the same as netting a hedge, I know, but some similarities.

Best wishes
Martin

I asked the RSPB for its official position on this subject. This is the reply I received.

"The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and the RSPB are aware of the recent rise in the use of netting on trees and hedges to prevent birds from nesting in vegetation needing to be removed from development sites during the breeding season. Whilst not illegal, we have considerable concerns about the use of this practice and we advise against its use.

Netting is an overly simplistic approach that has become more prominent recently. There is an understandable negative reaction from both the public and from professional ecologists to the real and potential harm that it may cause to wildlife.

Forward planning and early engagement of a competent ecologist by developers can often mitigate the circumstances that require netting to be used and avoid unnecessary delays to development projects. In line with planning guidelines, developers should be aiming to retain trees and hedges in the landscape design of their develop projects wherever possible. In the first instance vegetation should be removed outside the nesting bird season and should be checked by a competent ecologist. Where this is not possible, the developer should seek to compensate any removal by planting replacements.

The RSPB is campaigning for laws to be introduced that would commit governments to ensure the recovery of the nature – meaning that practices like this would come under much closer scrutiny in future."

Incidentally, anyone could have obtained this information. All I did was go to www.rspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/get-in-touch/contact-us/ and then scroll down to Wildlife Advice, where you can email the Wildlife Team.

I hope this helps
Martin Francis
Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group

Thanks Jim, for supporting the Petition and also highlighting the fact that hedge netting is a nationwide practice, something that is only now becoming apparent.
It would also be interesting to see what position our local councils take on the matter.

I’ve signed the petition which, I understand , was prompted by an incident in Winterton, near Scunthorpe.

In recent weeks, there have been other cases - for example, one at a primary school in Cambridgeshire where it was the county council which was carrying out the netting.

Slightly different but Tesco has also been taking flak for installing netting to prevent swallows nesting outside stores in Norfolk.

There is a firm, Enviroguard, which publicises anti- bird nesting services on its website.

The debate will be interesting if it reaches the Commons.

I’d like the RSPB to speak out on this, but (in my opinion) the leadership tends to stay clear of controversial issues.

Regarding the controversial subject of Hedge netting by property developers which can cause harm/fatalities to wildlife, mammals as well as birds, members may be interested in the petition calling for the practice to be banned.
This can be found at the following address.
When voting please wait for, then click on the resultant email which will register your vote.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/244233

Unfortunately it won’t save the hedges, but may save some wildlife.