Viewers of BBC’s Countryfile were quick to express their unease during Sunday’s episode, which featured a controversial wildlife segment early in the broadcast. Presenters John Craven, Charlotte Smith, and Adam Henson delved into the historical and ecological significance of the Menai Suspension Bridge, highlighting its impact on local communities, agriculture, and wildlife.
A particularly tense moment arose during a feature on a designated “special protection area,” home to vulnerable bird colonies. The programme showcased specialists using cannon netting—a method where small explosive charges propel a net over birds resting on the ground—to safely capture wading birds for research purposes.
The presenter reassured audiences, explaining, “As the name suggests, small cannons fire projectiles attached to a net, gently capturing the birds that are on the ground.” Despite this explanation, footage showed the sudden explosion startling flocks into frantic flight, accompanied by smoke and visible distress as some birds struggled against the net.
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“This may look a little worrying,” the narrator acknowledged, “but it is a highly regulated routine technique, used to track bird health over time.” However, many viewers remained concerned, taking to social media to criticize the approach and question the impact on the animals’ welfare.
On platform X, one user wrote, “Not been funny but I don’t think that letting off a massive explosion and then covering them with a net is the best way to help these poor birds. Why can’t these lefty do-gooders stop messing with animals and leave them alone #countryfile.” Others shared similar sentiments, highlighting the distress and confinement experienced by the birds during the process.
Despite the backlash, the segment aimed to raise awareness about conservation efforts and the importance of monitoring bird populations for their protection. Countryfile continues to air Sundays at 6 pm on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.