The Danger of Soccer Nets
Soccer nets pose a significant risk to birds, particularly raptors like great horned owls.
Birds, especially inexperienced young ones, may not perceive the nets as a barrier. When they hunt prey, they may not see the netting and will fly into them, especially at night. Entanglement can lead to severe injuries like broken bones and feathers, constricted blood flow and muscle strains. In some instances it can be fatal.
The easiest way to avoid incidents like this is to remove or take down soccer nets after practice or when games are over.
Birds Caught in Soccer Nets
If you find a bird (usually an owl) caught in a net and are comfortable bringing it to Lakeside Nature Center, follow these steps:
• You will need a pair of scissors or a knife, heavy gloves and a thick towel.
• Cut a wide circle out of the net and wrap the owl, net and all, in the towel.
• Bring the owl to Lakeside Nature Center. Location information is here.
• Keep noises to a minimum as you transport the owl.
Naturalists at the Nature Center can remove the netting and assess the owl once it’s at the Center.
If you are not comfortable transporting the owl, please call our message line at (816) 513-8960. Leave your name, phone number, location and a brief message and a naturalist will call you back. This line is monitored daily from 9 am to 9 pm.