Heron rescued after getting tangled up in pond netting
A HERON had to be rescued from netting at a pond in Windmill Hill.
Tony Neads, a volunteer from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS), attended to come to the bird's aid. He checked over the heron, which appeared fine despite its ordeal.
It was the second time WRAS had been called out to rescue a trapped heron this month. In a previous incident, a heron had to freed after becoming trapped in nylon strands in a pond in Willingdon, but was released after 24 hours at the charity's casualty care unit near Chiddingly.
Trevor Weeks, WRAS's rescue co-ordinator, said, "Every year we get a few cases of herons becoming entangled in netting, string or wire on ponds.
"On one occasion a couple of years ago a heron drowned as it became so exhausted trying to get free.
"During the winter, herons have problems finding food as fish disappear to deeper water to keep warm.
"They are naturally thinner and more hungry as a result. As soon as warmer weather comes, and fish start coming back to the surface, herons are desperate for food and will take risks - hence the recent cases we have had to deal with.
"The people who have called us out have been very concerned at the incidents and have not intentionally wanted to cause suffering to herons, but want a humane way of deterring herons from taking their fish."
Trevor said anyone using netting or other deterrents to stop birds landing on ponds to replace any netting or string which is loose or dangerous to wildlife.
He said, "Every year we get numerous calls about birds caught in netting on roof tops as well as hedgehogs, foxes, deer and other animals caught in netting in gardens.
"Now spring is here, why not do some spring cleaning and help our environment by removing any unnecessary netting or string and replacing it with proper secure deterrents which will not pose any danger to our wildlife."
Items which can be used safely on ponds to stop herons landing and fishing there can be found on the WRAS website - www.wildlifeambulance.org - on the 'garden birds advice' page.
- Read Trevor Weeks' column every week online - click here
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
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Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
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