The wildlife expert from the Swan Sanctuary, who didn’t want to be named, said on arriving to rescue the birds he discovered at least five had become trapped in the net. Some were flying around in the void, but two had become physically trapped, one of which had already died.
The living juvenile herring gull was taken to the sanctuary, but it too died after three days.
The expert said: “People don’t realise, birds are very intelligent animals, and they do help each other, so when they are calling out, they attract other birds to them, especially with this one being such a young bird.
“Also, their calls attract birds of prey, so they too risk getting trapped in the net.
“Owls, buzzards, kites – they’re all at risk.”
He added that he supported calls for a ban of bird-deterrent netting and there were “proven, better ways to deter birds”.