Overview
- Young and inexperienced birds frequently become entangled in fine plastic mesh, leading to injuries, fractures or death.
- Larger species such as crows or gulls can carry off entire netted balls and ingest plastic that can lodge in the esophagus or gut.
- NABU advises cutting off existing nets immediately, discarding them in residual waste, and placing the suet in spirals, wire holders or feeders.
- The group offers a DIY option using warmed beef tallow or coconut fat mixed with seeds, oats and chopped nuts, shaped into balls and hung with natural cord or set in a cup.
- NABU discourages cheap supermarket mixes that are bulked with wheat or contain non-native seeds, recommending organic feed or bird-friendly planting instead.