A council has been accused of ‘denying this simplest of joys’ over plans to fine people £100 for feeding ducks in the park - but the council leader hit back saying that they are actually "probably killing them’"

The exchange came at a recent Harrow Council Cabinet meeting on Thursday, May 25 when resident Hugh Brown challenged the leadership over its plans for a new public spaces protection order (PSPO), which looks to tackle antisocial behaviours in the borough.

Under the new rules, feeding the ducks in Pinner Memorial Park could be outlawed and perpetrators hit with a £100 fine. The council says by feeding the ducks, residents are also feeding the pigeons, which creates a public health nuisance.

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Mr Brown said: “Many parents and grandparents will have experienced the simple joy of taking the kids to feed the ducks. I was concerned and somewhat surprised to see that the council’s PSPO would prohibit this.” 

He asked the council leader if it was really necessary to implement an outright ban. Cllr Paul Osborn said: “I hate to tell you this but if you were feeding the ducks with bread or other similar foods, whilst you may have fond memories of it, you are probably actually killing some of the ducks.”

He added: “According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Canal River Trust, bread contains little nutrients for ducks but it does fill their stomachs and that leaves them unable to eat other things or forage for other nutrients. Uneaten bread and food also leads to potentially contamination of the water […] and encourages vermin”.

Hugh hit back, saying: “It’s interesting you mentioned bread because I know that bread isn’t good for ducks, that’s why I carry actual duck food around with me when I take the kids to the park.”

He added: “It’s a shame it can’t be a bit more nuanced and give that discretion to people feeding real duck food.”

The resident also told the cabinet that he thinks the PSPO proposals are “a bit odd overall”. He said: “It focuses on ducks and pigeons but no mention of geese, of which there are many in the memorial park.” 

He added: “It singles out the memorial park but no explanation of why not other parks. […] Looking at the unauthorised activities all across the parks in Harrow, it then lists feeding wildlife including birds. Well, I always thought ducks were actually birds so I don’t know why you have to specify ducks in the memorial park in particular.”

Cllr Osborn said: “The challenge there is the feeding of the ducks in the Pinner Memorial Park causes real problems with pigeons. Actually, when people feed the ducks they end up feeding the pigeons, which then creates a public health nuisance in nearby buildings – one of which is owned by the council. It’s a response to a particular problem, which is why it is in there and is there in that detail.”

Fines can already be dished out to people feeding birds in the town centre, but the council is looking to extend this law borough-wide, including in parks. In 2022, figures show that 44 people were issued fines for breaking bird-feeding laws. Failing to comply with a PSPO is a criminal offence. It enabled council officers to hand out Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) of up to £100, or a summary offence fine of up to £1,000. 

A public consultation is currently ongoing regarding the PSPO plan. Cllr Osborn said the council will consider all responses to it before coming forward with a recommendation to then be voted on by the cabinet.