A loaf or death matter for Meriden Park's ducks

PEOPLE paying a visit to Meriden Park are being urged not to feed bread to the ducks.

Posters have recently been put up at the Chelmsley Wood site, warning that the hunks of Hovis and Kingsmill thrown to the waterfowl can cause water pollution.

The problem arises when the chunks of loaf rot and lead to harmful algae forming on the surface.

Not only can this spread diseases to the birds, it can kill fish and cause an unpleasant smell.

The public notices, which are being promoted by Solihull Council's Love Solihull team, also draw attention to the fact that bread isn't too good for a duck's diet.

This is because the food, while filling, is lacking in nutrition and can lead to deficiencies if birds aren't eating much else.

For this reason, visitors are asked to consider other offerings, such as cooked rice, bird seed and oats - which are rather better for the Mallards and other species which flock to the waterside.

Concerns about bread causing water pollution have previously been raised by conservationists at a nationwide level. 

Three years ago, the Canal and River Trust carried out a survey which suggested that something like six million loaves each year are being sunk into ponds, lakes and other waterways by well-meaning members of the public.