Fatal nesting material found in parks

It’s not pleasant to look at, we know.  But what this first photo shows is a dead Western Bluebird that is tethered to its nest by fishing line.  On the day of its first attempt at flight, the bird was unable to leave and died in the struggle.

Tragedies like this are seen by nest box monitors all too often.  Items such as abandoned fishing line, plastic Easter grass, ribbons and strings of all kinds are attractive to birds as nesting material.  Unlike natural materials, these man-made items are too strong.  They entangle the chick’s feet while they toddle around in the nest.

As the second photo shows, adult birds are also sometimes trapped while they carry the strings through the twigs and branches of trees.  They die a slow death suspended from the branches.

These items are hazardous all year long.  Each year, wildlife rescue centers receive thousands of animals injured or dying from entanglement with, or ingestion of discarded materials. Many cannot be rescued.  Please share this post with others and dispose of such items in suitable, closed containers.