Pleas to not feed ducks at Woods Mill in Henfield

Experts say throwing excess amounts of bread into lakes can cause nutrient pollution due to “harmful algal blooms” which deplete the lake’s oxygen and kill off aquatic life.

The warning is being issued for Woods Mill nature reserve in Henfield, near Burgess Hill, which has seen a group of last year’s ducklings “constantly roaming the reserve in search of people who might feed them, rather than exhibiting natural behaviour”.

It comes amid forecasted sunny weather over the bank holiday, which Sussex Wildlife Trust says also increases the risk of algal blooms, which could lead to “disaster unless we take action now”.

Female Mallard with ducklings. Picture by Roger Wilmshurst/Sussex Wildlife Trust

The wildlife charity said ducks need to feed on a wide range of food, including insects, worms and pondweed rather than relying on bread.

It suggested alternatives such as peas, sweetcorn and chopped greens but plead with bank holiday visitors to not bring any additional food on site.

Charlotte Owen, conservation officer for Sussex Wildlife Trust, said: “Excess bread is also harmful to the ducks and can cause malnutrition, disease and bad behaviour.

“We are now seeing a large group of last year’s ducklings constantly roaming the reserve in search of people who might feed them, rather than exhibiting natural behaviour. This is detrimental to their welfare and also poses a nuisance to visitors.

Charlotte Owen, conservation officer. Picture by Miles Davies/Sussex Wildlife Trust

“Ducks naturally eat a wide range of aquatic insects, snails, worms, pond weed and other vegetation. A natural and balanced diet is especially important during the breeding season, when they need to provide their young with appropriate food.

“There are healthier alternatives that can be fed to ducks (e.g. peas, sweetcorn, chopped greens) but since Woods Mill is a nature reserve, we are asking that no additional food is provided to any of the wildlife on site.

“There is plenty of natural food available, and the current situation poses a threat to the wildlife that so many people come here to enjoy.”