A red kite has been rescued after becoming tangled in sports netting.

The RSPCA were called to the bird of prey on Thursday, May 11 after it was discovered in football or cricket netting in a garden of a Wokingham private residence.

RSPCA Inspector Jo Bowling was called to the incident and released the bird, which had become further wrapped in the netting after moving around. 

She said: “As soon as it was free it flew back up the tree where it was nesting with its partner. Luckily the netting was wrapped around its body and not cutting into its wings, so it was able to fly free. 

“We often get called out to foxes trapped in netting and once an owl, but rarely a red kite. It just goes to show all wildlife is at risk of getting caught in them. Unused football and cricket nets are a nightmare hazard for wildlife especially this time of year.

“This bird had a lucky escape. Very sadly many animals trapped in nets suffer fatal injuries, often as a result of struggling to get free."

Inspector Bowling urges people to remove sports nets after use and store them safely to avoid future incidents of wildlife becoming stuck or tangled.

"It only takes a few minutes and yet it could save an animal from suffering a horrible death," she added. 

"Where netting can’t be removed, such as pond or fruit netting, we recommend replacing them with solid metal mesh.”

Last year, the animal welfare charity took nearly 1,800 calls relating to animals entangled in netting.

The charity is recruiting 'Wildlife Friends' to volunteer and help protect the wildlife they share their communities with. Join the hundreds who've signed up already via the RSPCA website.