The RSPCA has highlighted the plight of pigeons who are perishing after becoming trapped at an old mill near a new retail development at Macclesfield.

The animal charity has fielded calls from several members of the public who have spotted the pigeons trapped above the carcasses of dead birds, which are piling up behind the grilles of several large windows at the disused mill on Black Lane.

The birds appear to have flown through open windows in the building and then emerged through other openings, but these windows have been sealed off with steel mesh for security purposes. Once caught between the mesh and the glass the pigeons have become trapped and unable to fly back out.

The mill is situated near to Macclesfield's new Barracks Mill retail development, where new shops such as KFC and Aldi are opening.

The disused mill with the distressed pigeons is near the new Barracks Mill Retail Park.

RSPCA inspector Caren Goodman-James says the building's owners have been contacted to address the issue, while callers to the charity fear the body count of dead birds will rise if no action is taken.

Around 10 birds have been counted trapped between mesh and glass with five to six dead birds lying beneath them (see pictures). 

Inspector Goodman-James said: "The pigeons are flying through an open window and dropping down the back of the mesh. There are live birds on top of dead birds - it is not very pleasant at all.

"It may be that the work that has taken place at the new retail park has seen the windows being left open or it may be that someone has broken into the mill, but the birds are being drawn inside.

"Cheshire Fire Brigade has done a risk assessment and there are health and safety issues entering the building. We have contacted the building's owners and there has been mention of pest control.

"But as it stands offences are being committed under the Animal Welfare Act by leaving these pigeons to their fates."

Concerns were first raised about the plight of the pigeons on November 9 and the RSPCA plans to revisit the site to see if the dead birds have been removed.

The plight of wild birds being trapped in or on buildings regularly brings calls to the charity. For example, over 1,600 reports were made to the RSPCA about birds trapped in or behind netting in 2021 with many of these incidents involving bird-deterrent netting.

Birds can suffer a long and painful death from injury or starvation as unfortunately netting is often fixed in high or hard-to-reach areas, making the rescue of trapped animals difficult and dangerous.

In a statement, the RSPCA added: "If you have seen dead birds in netting, or where you are aware of a regular issue of birds becoming trapped on buildings, the RSPCA would be grateful if you could please forward the address, property owner (if known) and date of the incident to [email protected].

"We will then write to the owner with advice and guidance about resolving the issue.

"As a charity, we rely entirely on donations to keep our rescue teams on the road. We're calling on animal lovers to help us make sure animals don't pay the price of the cost of living crisis this Christmas.

"To Join the Winter Rescue and help our rescuers be there for the animals in need, please visit www.rspca.org.uk/jointherescue."

See Also: Macclesfield rescue dog meets Take That's Howard Donald

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