In response to concerns raised by local people over the publication of conflicting advice concerning the feeding of Hoveton’s waterbirds, your Parish Council has sought advice directly from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). We hope local residents find the following advice informative and useful:

“Just like us, birds need a varied diet to stay healthy. Although birds can digest all types of bread, too much can leave them feeling full without giving them the important vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need. Additionally, feeding bread to waterfowl can cause overcrowding, and throwing it into waterbodies can cause a build-up of uneaten soggy bread which can lead to greater algal growth, affecting the water quality. Therefore, if you wish to feed ducks please feed a variety of foods and avoid feeding excessively. Foods you can feed ducks include lettuce, sweetcorn, peas, bird seed and oats.”