Concerns after Magpie stuck between buildings at Royal Bolton Hospital

The bird has been spotted in a courtyard which is surrounded by buildings at Royal Bolton Hospital.

The area has a net over the top of it – it is unclear how it got in that position, but it is said to have been stuck there since before Christmas, according to staff.

The estates team at the hospital are said to have installed a cage with a fake magpie in it, alongside food, to allow them to catch the bird and set it free.

However, that was reportedly over six weeks ago and has not yet bore fruit.

The Bolton News spoke to a member of staff at Royal Bolton Hospital, who wished not to be named, about the bird.

The magpie on a ledge (Image: Public)

He said: “There are different zones in the hospital, this is a courtyard between buildings near the blue zone, when you go there you can see it through the window, everybody in the hospital knows about it.

“Staff have been throwing food down to it from the top, but you can see the food still on the floor, I don’t think it is eating it.

“It has been trying to fly around everywhere, it has definitely been there at least since before Christmas.”

The worker said the issue had been raised and described the cage which had been installed in efforts to catch the bird.

He added: “But that has been there for six weeks.

“Nothing else is being done, everyone is putting complaints in. I reported it to the RSPCA.

The netting over the courtyard (Image: Public)

“It upsets me because it is like it is in a prison. Imagine if it was you locked in there, it is still a creature.”

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We are aware of this incident and want to reassure the public that we have visited and are in contact with the hospital.

“While the use of netting to prevent birds nesting is legal, it’s critically important that it is professionally installed and regularly maintained and monitored.

“Problems can arise when netting is put up without a regular maintenance contract in place, is installed incorrectly or becomes damaged or eroded in the weather, leaving gaps where birds can enter and become trapped.

The bird (Image: Public)

“Every year we receive a large number of reports about bird-deterrent netting. Unfortunately it is often fixed in high or hard-to-reach areas, which can make the rescue of trapped animals difficult and dangerous.”

The Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Royal Bolton Hospital, has been approached for comment.

The RSPB advises any netting used to stop birds nesting or roosting should be “fit for purpose, inspected regularly and maintained”.

It adds that any trapped birds or other wildlife should be “immediately released”.