Feeding the ducks on the Lagan... besides white bread, what else is there?
Kerplunk! So the ducks don’t start a feeding frenzy the minute your toddler’s chunk of five day old sliced pan hits the water? It doesn’t mean they’re picky/overfed/ungrateful.
Could be they’re just a little bit bored. Like us, wild waterfowl need a variety of food and thrive better on a healthy diet. In fact, although wholemeal is better than white, and seeded loaves are better still, most bread has a low nutritional value for humans and birds.
What ducks do enjoy is ideal for clearing out leftovers. Just so long as the food is not loaded with sugar, salt or e numbers. Dry oatmeal, cereal, that tablespoon of muesli at the bottom of the box my kids refuse to eat (birds love currants), nuts and seeds such as sunflower seeds. Even bits of apple or banana, chopped lettuce, peas and corn. And best of all, birdseed!
The ducks enjoy raw oats here...don't worry if it sinks - they'll dive down to get it...that's the theory at least!
In winter, birds need more fat, so pastry cooked or uncooked is a good option, also mild grated cheese – but hold the chips! Of course, many of these foods don’t have the same buoyancy that makes throwing out crusts and watching them bob on the surface so much fun. But experimenting is even better!
There is plenty of natural food along the Lagan, but a little extra (and the key word is little) is always welcome. Just try to keep the food as close to birds’ natural diet as possible. And if you must throw bread, no doorsteps please – especially when there are ducklings about!
Baby ducks rush in for their new 'diet'
For my children, feeding the ducks, coots and moorhens at the Lagan towpath was their first introduction to wildlife. It’s a huge thrill for little ones. And big ones too. So next time I’m out, I’ll be treating the waterfowl to a healthy, exciting morsel.
P.S. Please feed the swans on the water only. Dogs and swans on the towpath don’t mix.