Our love of feeding ducks is polluting water

The problem of waste, pollution and pests was highlighted yesterday by the Canal & River Trust.
It called for people in England and Wales to feed the birds with grapes, corn and peas instead.
Their survey found 15 million fowl lovers admit to regularly feeding the ducks with their friends, family and children.
They mean well but the trust says they should, quite literally, use their loaf… all that bread is polluting the rivers and could make the water harmful to ducks.
Soggy bread can cause a build-up of bad nutrients, leading to algae, spreading disease and encouraging pests such as rats.
As the duckling hatching season approaches, the trust is urging people to feed ducks responsibly.
Peter Birch, a manager with the Canal & River Trust, said: “Please come and feed the ducks but do it sensibly so your children and future generations can enjoy it too.
“Bread’s not great for a duck’s health as it’s nothing like their natural diet.”