Duck feeders aim to help ducks and water quality

The photograph above shows (l-r) Councillor Nigel Foot, James Heasman (Newbury Town Council Parks & Open Spaces Supervisor), Councillor Martha Vickers, Sukey Russell-Hayward, Councillor David Marsh and Councillor Sarah Slack at the duck feeder station on Lock Island.

Two new solar-powered duck feeders have come to Newbury.

The machines are located by the canalside in Victoria Park and at Lock Island.

You just tab your phone or card on the front, that relieves you of one pound, and into a tray pour about three handfuls of pellets, consisting of peas, barley, oats and chopped lettuce.

We’re told that bread makes ducks ill while rotting bread pollutes the water.

The feeders have been installed by Newbury Town Council, in conjunction with the Feed Ducks Initiative.

Ian Jee, Chair of the Council’s Green Spaces Working Group said:

We are delighted to introduce these new duck feeders, which will not only improve the health of our local ducks, swans and geese but also educate visitors on responsible feeding practices. Bread, while commonly given to ducks, lacks essential nutrients and can be potentially harmful to both the birds and the environment.

The project has been made possible through collaboration with Community Matters – West Fields  and local community volunteers, who have kindly offered to support with filling the feeders. The cost of the feeders, including the installation, has been covered by the Feed Ducks Initiative, who will also give a percentage of the money raised to support volunteers maintaining our local green spaces, for example, the Secret Garden Project at Newbury Lock.

Sukey Russell-Hayward, spokesperson for Community Matters said:

So many people locally and visitors to Newbury love to feed the local ducks and swans, and we fully support this great initiative, which not only helps the birds and our precious canal environment but is also a great fundraising opportunity for local projects.