Traders brace for bird season as tree nets challenged
After last year’s tree-netting debacle to block thousands of birds from landing in one of the state’s most popular dining strips, traders are worried about the spring season.
Trees on a popular Adelaide dining strip were netted in August last year to deter thousands of tiny tree martins from annoying traders and impacting hospitality health and safety, sending the birds to Rundle Mall, where they died in droves.
After reports of the birds dying and injuring themselves against the Adelaide Apple Store window, four out of 10 trees had their nets removed in the council’s more than $15,000 deterrent project in Leigh Street that stretched over months.
At last night’s council meeting, Deputy Lord Mayor Keiran Snape suggested all nets should be removed.
But traders feared the move would cause another mess, as the Callery Pear Trees were netted specifically in the streets bustling outdoor dining zone.
Shobosho and Fugazzi are two esteemed venues on the laneway, and the council previously approved a canopy for Shobosho’s outdoor dining in November 2023 to mitigate problems with extensive bird droppings.
Shobosho co-owner Nicola Jacob said the nets “have made the environment on Leigh St actually conducive for outdoor dining”.
“The birds created such an unhygienic problem that went on for many years in Leigh St, and common sense finally prevailed when the trees were netted,” she told InDaily.
“We have been able to seat people outside again, during January to May (peak outdoor dining season) which wasn’t possible when the birds were dropping excrement and feathers into plates of food.
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“The street no longer smells putrid when it rains, the street is no longer a slippery fall hazard for our staff and customers, and the experience for the many tourists we are trying to attract to the state has been vastly improved.
“Reversing this decision would be to the detriment of many, many small businesses.”
Fugazzi partner Alex Cece said a key issue was the timing of the roosting season, which aligned with LIV Golf and Gather Round.
“It’s our peak business season and we host international guests from all around the world during this time,” he said.
“We would obviously prefer for what is one of Australia’s best restaurant and hospitality precincts to not literally be coated in bird shit during this time.”
But not all traders are keen to see the nets remain. Udaberri co-owners Ben Walsh and Rob Dineen said they would support the nets being removed, and they had not seen the nets’ impact their business.
“Visually, the nets are an eyesore and impact on the charm of the street. Additionally, we have missed experiencing this natural spectacle, which we looked forward to every year,” they said.
“Our business and staff have always felt it important to adapt our operations around the tree martins.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Keiran Snape suggested removing the remaining nets because of the dire impact of sending the birds elsewhere.
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“As well as being a danger to the next roosting or migration season, they look quite ugly at the moment, especially with all these dead leaves, and it just looks quite unattractive,” Snape said.
“I will support other options around Leigh Street but clearly what we did, did not work.”
Even after four nets were removed in April, the birds did not return to Leigh Street because the nets were removed after the birds had settled into a routine to spend time in Rundle Mall.
Rundle Mall’s Apple Store applied a dotted window decal to stand out in the birds flight path and prevent deaths after hundreds of birds died hitting the upper glass windows. But the decals had been since removed after the birds migrated elsewhere for winter.
Green Adelaide Landscape Operations Manager Dr Stuart Collard said they “can’t know for sure where the tree martins will return to roost in the next season”.
“Based on previous behaviour, they are likely to return to existing roosting locations,” Collard said.
“Tree martins are highly adaptable and may seek alternative roosting sites. Their relocation from Leigh Street to Rundle Mall highlights their adaptability.
“Tree martins seek out urban habitats that offer safety from predators. They’re drawn to areas with artificial lighting and even the hustle and bustle of human activity, which can deter predators.
“The birds may explore other busy city locations with trees or structures that provide similar protection from potential predators to what Leigh St and Rundle Mall have.”
“Importantly, we’re looking forward to continuing to work alongside City of Adelaide and other stakeholders to prepare for and provide advice for better welfare outcomes for the birds into the future.”
Councillor Arman Abrahimzadeh claimed Leigh Street would get uglier if the nets were removed.
“I encourage members to go up and down these streets during roosting season and see how ugly the pavers and Leigh Street looks with all those bird droppings and feathers,” Abrahimzadeh said.
“I encourage members to engage with the traders to see how ugly their P&L (profit and loss) statements look during roosting season.”
The Adelaide Apple Store was contacted for comment.
