Comments on: Ornithological Research into Wildfowl http://dartfordwaffler.co.uk/ornithological-research-into-wildfowl/ Birding from around the world Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:15:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: nick http://dartfordwaffler.co.uk/ornithological-research-into-wildfowl/#comment-52 nick Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:11:21 +0000 http://dartfordwaffler.co.uk/?p=163#comment-52 Yes, a point well made about not throwing bread into the water and certainly seed or grain is far better food for wildfowl. In fact many people at Hornsea Mere do bring grain to feed to the wildfowl including ourselves.

The point about water quality is also worth remembering and I have seen a pond in Greenwich park in London which is putrid for this very reason. However, I can’t really see it being an issue in a lake as huge as Hornsea Mere.

]]> By: azimuth http://dartfordwaffler.co.uk/ornithological-research-into-wildfowl/#comment-51 azimuth Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:28:30 +0000 http://dartfordwaffler.co.uk/?p=163#comment-51 On the subject of your research into wildfowl/helping the birds/ducks like bread
Just a note on the bread…
It is said that there are several reasons why feeding bread is not good for wildfowl.
1) it is believed to cause enteritis (a bacterial stomach bug) which although not fatal, weakens the bird, causes a decline in its health (& fitness), and can ultimately lead to death.
2)On lakes or ponds (particularly enclosed waters) especially at popular feeding sites where a lot of bread is offered, it causes enrichment of water (due to the constituents of the bread & what comes out of the ducks etc. after it is digested), leading to eutrophication (lack of oxygen, algal growth), and ultimately death of the plants/invertebrates/fish that the whole food chain/web depends upon.
Most conservation organizations recommend that seed is fed instead. Ideally, this seed (or any food) should not be left on the bank where it can deteriorate and decay, as this can have bad consequences for birds which eat it.

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