Mist Netting

What is mist-netting?

Mist-netting is a long-standing research technique for catching many bird and bat species.

It involves tying up a fine net between poles that can be set near a flight path of the birds. The net has loose flaps in it that catch the birds after they fly into the net and then fall into the flaps.

The net is so fine it is difficult for the birds to see. Waders have such good vision they won’t get caught in a mist net in the daylight (unlike many of the bushbirds), so waders get caught at night as they move between feeding and roosting sites.

Birds are only removed from the nets by experienced and licensed banders.