Fans of Countryfile were left feeling ‘distressed’ over one segment involving a lot of one thing.

Countryfile
Countryfile fans complained over the treatment of birds (Image: BBC)

Fans of Countryfile issued complaints just minutes after the BBC show aired on Sunday evening. John Craven, Charlotte Smith and Adam Henson took a look at how the Menai Suspension Bridge, also known as Pont Menai, connected people, nature, farming and heritage throughout many generations.

In one part of the programme, the presenters looked at how data was collected from a “special protection area” where flocks of birds lived. It showed a specialist team using cannon netting to capture wading birds. The presenter explained: “As the name suggests, small cannons fire projectiles that are attached to a net, gently capturing the birds that are on the ground.” Footage showed hundreds of birds resting together on the shore, unknowingly about to be captured by an explosive net. Soon, a huge explosion went off as the birds all shot up in shock, with smoke and wings flapping all over the place. Some birds appeared to be struggling as they tried desperately to free themselves from the net.

Countryfile on BBC

Fans didn’t like the explosions near the birds (Image: BBC)

“This may look a little bit worrying,” the narrator said, “but it is a highly regulated routine technique, used to track bird health over time.”

However, fans at home didn’t seem so sure, as they flew to social media to share their concerns for the animals.

On X/Twitter, one viewer fumed: “Not been funny but I don’t think that letting off a massive explosion and then covering them with a net is the best way to help these poor birds. Why can’t these lefty do-gooders stop messing with animals and leave them alone #countryfile.”

Another replied: “Totally agree. Catching them with nets and shoving them into small boxes is highly distressing. Just leave them alone.”

Someone else raged: “‘The birds have been great.’ Well, you captured them and imprisoned them. What choice did they have? Leave the birds alone. #Countryfile.”

While one more person complained: ” #countryfile can’t we let birds be birds fgs. How do they know they’re not stressed! Explosions, nets, getting tangled in nets, ringing, re-ringing, measuring head.” They ended their post with a red-faced angry emoji.