SIX birds have been killed in the past week after becoming stuck on feeders.

Five blue tits and a great tit were discovered at the Warnham Nature Reserve in Horsham on Thursday and RSPCA investigators are looking for three men believed to be responsible.

Glue traps were found on the feeders and nearby plants in a bid to “cruelly” catch any bird that came into contact with the substance, the animal charity said.

Rangers from Horsham District Council alerted the RSPCA and the sticky substance has been identified as birdlime.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act it is illegal to trap, or attempt to trap, wild birds, and this type of trapping causes “immense distress and suffering” to the birds.

Anyone caught doing this can face six months in prison and given an unlimited fine.

In addition to the dead birds, multiple others were taken in by the countryside warden to be cleaned and rehabilitated, and it is hoped they will recover.

The suspects were seen acting suspiciously in the area. Two of them are about 30, 6ft and had short hair, shaved at the sides and long on top. The third man was older, shorter and wearing a cap.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “We are working closely with the district council to investigate this incident and are appealing to anyone who may have any information to contact the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 123 8018.

“If anyone sees the three men described acting suspiciously in the area again we would urge them to call the police first and also contact the RSPCA.

“Using this method of trapping causes huge amounts of distress and suffering for the birds and will indiscriminately ensnare anything that comes into contact with it.”