Public asked not to feed the birds at park in Milton Keynes to help create “healthier and balanced environment for wildlife”
The Parks Trust has asked the public not to feed the birds at a Milton Keynes park, saying it has taken the decision to “create a healthier, balanced environment for wildlife and visitors.”
The request applies to Furzton Lake, with the trust saying that bird feeding in the area has resulted in large flock sizes.
The Parks Trust said in a statement: “Large flock sizes can lead to aggression among birds and have a negative impact on smaller waterfowl sharing the habitat.
“It has also caused ongoing issues with rat infestations.
“We would appreciate your support in refraining from feeding the birds whilst we work to improve the health of this habitat and reduce the public health concerns associated with attracting pests.”
In response to The Parks Trust’s post, concerns have been raised on Facebook about how this would be policed or enforced and what the birds will eat.
However, Milton Keynes biodiversity campaigner Judith Heinemann told the Citizen she supported The Parks Trust’s decision saying: “Feeding the ducks and geese harms the recovery of nature by causing water pollution - uneaten food and numerous bird faeces add extra nutrients to the water, ie nitrogen and phosphorus, depleting the oxygen levels and killing fish and native plants.
“Big flocks also trample vegetation, crowd out other native wildlife and reduce overall biodiversity.
“All our residents have a role to play in the recovery of nature which is in critical decline and that includes not feeding the ducks and geese which live on our lakes.”
The Citizen has contacted The Parks Trust for further comment.
The Parks Trust manages more than 6,000 acres of green space across the city, including parks, lakes and woodland.