BIRD lovers in Lancashire are being warned about the dangers of food packaging.

The RSPB receives calls each year from residents reporting deaths, or injuries to birds that have become tangled in the mesh, or netting, surrounding food that has been left out for them.

Val Osborne, the RSPB’s head of wildlife inquiries, said: “Surprisingly, the netting that surrounds fat balls, peanuts, and seed, sold for bird food is one of the most dangerous things that can be put out in our gardens.

“Despite suggesting they must be safe for wildlife because of the way they’re sold, the mesh and netting can easily trap birds’ feet and beaks.”

The RSPB recommends removing the food from the netting, and transferring it to a safe feeder.

“Many suppliers of bird food now stock products without these potential deathtraps but, unfortunately, some are still using them.”

The charity does not want to dissuade people from feeding, and watering, birds as their natural food sources dwindle during cold winter months. The RSPB suggests calorie-rich foods, like mixed seed, nyjer seed, fatballs, suet sprinkles, sunflower seed, and peanuts, as well as kitchen scraps, like mild grated cheese, rice and porridge oats.

A supply of water is also essential for bathing and preening. The charity recommends putting a ball in any water source to prevent it from freezing over.