Crossword Genius

Sentimental Tennyson poem, bird avoiding net (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maudlin

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sentimental' is the definition.
(I know that sentimental can be written as maudlin)

'tennyson poem bird avoiding net' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'tennyson poem' could be 'maud' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'maud' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'lin' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for maudlin that I've seen before include "Tearfully sentimental, probably drunk" , "Sloppily sentimental, perhaps due to drink" , "Self-pityingly" , "Sentimentally tearful" , "Mushy and emotional" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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