Bird lovers are flocking to parks with the noble aim of helping our feathered friends survive the cold winter months, but a leading bird food expert has warned that choosing the wrong food could harm birds and even result in fines. It is estimated that half of all UK households provide bird food in their gardens throughout the year, providing a total of between 50,000 and 60,000 tonnes of bird food each year.
Now, wildlife expert Richard Green, of Kennedy Wild Bird Food, reveals the common but harmful foods that birds often eat and the penalties they could face. He highlighted the £100 fine for ‘anti-social behaviour’ and said: ‘Bird feeding is a popular pastime but in some cases local authorities can impose fines if bird feeding results in excessive bird congregation causing disruption to the local environment. The £100 fine is imposed under the Community Protection Notice (CPN) scheme.’
In addition, Mr Green advises that littering due to improper feeding can result in a fine of £150: “While feeding birds is generally harmless, leaving food waste behind can be classed as litter and therefore attract a fine. Under the 1990 Act, those who leave food waste in public places can be subject to a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £150 per littering.
Mr Green warned: “People often feed bread to birds as it is something many people have on hand and the idea of providing extra food to help birds through the winter is appealing. While bread may seem harmless, it lacks essential nutrients for survival and long-term consumption can lead to malnutrition and conditions such as ‘angel wing’ which affects their ability to fly.”
He went on to warn against feeding salted nuts: “While feeding birds may seem like a kind act, especially during the colder months when food is scarce, care must be taken when feeding. Some foods, such as salted nuts, are harmful because birds cannot metabolize salt, even in small amounts, which can damage their nervous systems.”
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As for dairy products, he advises, “While many birds enjoy dairy products like cheese, they cannot digest lactose, especially soft cheeses, as lactose can cause stomach upset. Choose fermented foods, such as hard cheeses, which are easier for birds to digest.”
He also issued a stern warning about chocolate: “Chocolate, especially dark or bitter chocolate, is highly toxic to birds. Ingestion of even small amounts can cause serious health problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, epilepsy and ADHD.”
Providing the right food for our avian friends is crucial, and oatmeal has proven to be a safe choice as long as it is raw. “While cooked oatmeal is often left over after feeding birds, its sticky texture can cause problems for them by clogging their beaks and preventing them from eating properly.”
When it comes to fruit, caution is key: “While many fruits are safe for birds, be sure to remove the seeds, pits, and stones before feeding because some seeds, such as those in apples and pears, are harmful to birds. They are poisonous. Birds should remove the pits from fruits with stones, such as cherries, peaches, and plums.”
Experts agree that the best option for feeding birds is “high-quality foods formulated specifically for birds are always the best choice as these products are carefully formulated to meet the nutritional needs of birds and help prevent pests that can be fined for nuisance feeding.”
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Post time: Dec-25-2024