Feeding Whitlingham's Waterfowl

Feeding the ducks, geese and swans at Whitilingham creates a special core memory for families, and can be a joyous activity for little ones to get involved in. But are we doing the right thing by our waterfowl and the local ecosystem when we come along with our bag of leftover bread?

The Canal and River Trust have some great expert advice on what is good and bad for our feathering friends at the water's edge:

Can you feed ducks bread?

You can feed ducks bread, but due to the vast quantities they're offered, it's not always the best option for them. Can you imagine the health implications if you only ate bread as your diet?

Why is bread bad for ducks?

In general, whilst in-date bread isn't unsafe for ducks, it is not particularly nutritional. Like humans, they need a varied diet to stay healthy.

However, it's important to check the date on any leftovers you're planning to offer out. Hannah Booth, the Canal and Rover Trust environment manager for Wales & South West, explains: "Mouldy bread can cause some birds to become ill."

In popular locations where bread is given to ducks often, there may be a lot that that goes uneaten. This can lead to environmental issues. Excess food is also likely to attract rats, which, if they're carrying diseases, may have consequences for eggs and young chicks.

What do ducks eat in the wild?

The RSPB lists seeds, acorns and berries, plants, insects and shellfish as natural food sources for ducks.

What can you feed ducks instead of bread?

Here are 6 different foods you probably already have at home, which can be used as nutritional duck feed.

(Great news, if you forget to bring some, we sell bags of mixed duck food at the Flint Barn Cafe!)

1. Sweetcorn

It turns out that ducks are quite partial to sweetcorn. Tinned, frozen, or fresh. Obviously, remove them from the tin first!

2. Lettuce

As a nation we're guilty of throwing away a vast amount of lettuce, especially the bagged variety. Instead of consigning it to the bin, rip it into pieces and treat your local ducks. Rocket, kale, and iceberg are all great choices.

3. Frozen peas

There's no need to cook them but make sure you defrost them first!

4. Oats

Flapjacks, rolled oats, and even instant porridge oats will be a huge hit with ducks.

5. Seeds

Whether you buy bird seed or just seeds from the fruit and nut aisle in the supermarket, the ducks will be very grateful for these nutritious nibbles.

6. Rice

Ducks will appreciate a handful of leftover rice if you've cooked too much for your dinner. You can also use uncooked rice, both are fine.

What foods should you avoid?

There are a few foods you should avoid feeding ducks, in addition to bread.

1. Crisps

Not just crisps, don't feed ducks any 'junk food'.

2. Popcorn

Popcorn hulls and kernels are difficult for ducks to digest, and they can become lodged in their throat and decay over time.

3. Cornflakes

Cornflakes and other cereals provide very little nutritional value to ducks and are high in sugar and other additives.

4. Citrus fruits

Avoid citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes, as well as other high-acid fruits like mango and pineapple, which can create digestive issues.

5. Onions and spinach

Spinach can induce egg binding issues in ducks by interfering with calcium production. Onions and related vegetables can cause diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as a type of anaemia, which can lead to respiratory illness.

6. Avocados

Avocados are a healthy snack for humans, but they are poisonous to birds, particularly ducks, and can induce heart failure!

More tips for feeding ducks

If you are looking to feed the ducks at Whitlingham, or at any other waterside beauty spot, a few trips here and there are preferable to frequent visits. If you feed them on a regular basis, they are likely to eat too much.

Other tips include:

• Ducks do not chew their food. Make sure they are in bite-sized portions so the ducks can eat them easily.

• If ducks show no interest or leave the food uneaten, stop feeding them. Food that has been left out can soon deteriorate and attract bugs.

• Be cautious of larger waterfowl like swans and geese, as they can become aggressive.

• Birds and the environment are both harmed by litter; carefully dispose of any rubbish, including bags, twist ties, plastic clips, and other inappropriate or mouldy pieces.

• Allowing pets or children to chase or disturb ducks, especially young birds or families, is unfair to them as you are visiting their home. It can lead to birds getting stressed or injured.

• If other visitors are already feeding the ducks, don't feed them. Too much food might result in health issues as well as uneaten leftovers.

  
  

We have an amazing variety of water fowl at Whitlingham Country Park. It's almost certain you'll see these four species (see images above) on any day you visit:

• mute swans

• mallard ducks

• graylag geese

• Egyptian geese

These feeding tips apply to all water fowl at Whitlingham. Thanks for your help in keeping our wildlife healthy. See what you can spot!

To find out more about all the bird species that have been spotted in and around Whitlingham since the park's records began, check out this page. Great thanks to James Emerson who keeps these wildlife records for us.