The singing of birds outside a luxurious retirement home sparked a wave of complaints and a strange plan to silence them.
Residents of Australian Unity’s Peninsula Grange, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, were furious that the scandal was caused by a flock of Indian Myna birds nesting in 23 trees.
In December, property operators covered tall trees with giant plastic wrap in an attempt to keep birds away and stop noise.
While the netting was somewhat effective, residents complained that the “ugly” black netting ruined the appearance of the picturesque street and blocked the sun, causing foliage to die.
However, the biggest problem was that small native birds had become trapped inside the net.
In December, property operators covered tall trees with giant plastic wrap (pictured) in an attempt to keep birds away and stop noise.
Music to your ears or deafening pain? The singing of Indian Myna birds was affecting the health and well-being of some residents.
One 72-year-old resident told Daily Mail Australia the netting had been “distressing”.
‘This is all so ridiculous. Who would put nets on the trees in summer? the resident said.
—And with a black net? It hasn’t rained, the birds have been trapped, there was no contingency plan. “It was a stupid decision.”
Katrina Larsen, a visitor to the property, said she was horrified when she saw the new trees for the first time.
“The trees will attract the birds and the birds still find a way in, despite the nets made with what looked like sturdy staples,” he said.
“The first time I visited after the nets were put up, I saw a bird trapped in the first tree I saw.”
The black nets were placed on the trees in December and were not removed until the end of February. The hot months caused the foliage to die and then accumulate at the bottom of the nets.
Australian Unity in a statement consulted with residents, bird control experts and wildlife management and control authorities, and the net was installed by professionals who followed Victorian regulations.
The net was put up as part of a trial period that ended in late February and has since been removed.
The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment says on its website that Indian Mynas live in large, noisy groups and are attracted to clean grass and well-tended hedges.
Having a more bush-like garden will keep them away.
The ‘bizarre’ solution of covering 23 trees with plastic wrap to keep out birds was not only unsightly but also dangerous for trapped native birds.
