CRUMBS OF HOPE

Hungry ducks need help

DUCKS and swans could starve unless we get out to feed them, wildlife experts are warning.

Police and councils have confronted families in parks feeding birds, telling them to move on. One man in Ilford, East London, had a £150 fine.

But as restrictions ease, experts say birds living on lakes and ponds, where natural food is limited, need help.

Sean Mcmenemy, from garden suppliers Ark Wildlife, said: “The lockdown has impacted every aspect of life in the UK but some consequences are less obvious than others.

“An unintended effect of people avoiding public spaces is that wildlife that usually relies on humans to feed it is being left to go hungry.

“This lockdown has occurred during the breeding season and is the worst thing that could happen to our ducks and swans.

“They’d normally be able to rely on public feeding or donations to the charities to supplement their food.

“All these populations have suffered because of the lack of public access to

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Sean’s company has donated five tons of feed to charities and is asking the public to do their bit.

Mallard ducks and the three types of UK swan – mute, Bewick and whooper – are listed under amber status in the RSPB’S list of Birds of Conservation Concern.

Scraps

Sean added: “The fact isolation has caused widespread disruption during breeding season could mean we see populations dwindling in future.”

Birds will benefit from your kitchen scraps or specialist duck food scattered on the bankside.

Good nutritional scraps include raw or cooked sweetcorn, peas, oats, cabbage, kale, lettuce and other healthy greens

Bread has been the traditional duck food for generations of park visitors, but modern white bread quickly bloats tums without giving them the nutrition they need. Seeded or wholegrain loaves are better if you can.