Swap your old crusts for free bird food during bread amnesty
Visitors to Priory Park can swap their leftover loaves for a free bag of bird food next week to feed the ducks that live on the lake.
The Council is holding its annual bread amnesty from Monday 26 to Friday 30 July to celebrate “Love Parks Week”.
Healthy wildfowl
Cllr Julian Ellacott, Executive Member for Environment said: “Everyone loves feeding the ducks and swans but old crusts of bread aren’t the best option, as they don’t provide essential nutrients to keep our wildlife healthy.
“Bread contains very little of the vital ingredients needed to provide wildfowl with the energy they need to breed and feed. It is like junk food - it tastes good but has no nutritional value. The special food we will be supplying during Love Parks Week is much more nutritious for them.”
Bread exchange
Visitors to Priory Park can swap their bread at the park office, inside the pavilion, for a free bag of special bird food, from Monday 26 July to Friday 30 July between 9.00am and 5.00pm.
Cllr Adam De Save, Executive Member for Leisure and wellbeing, said: “Priory Park attracts thousands of visitors every year and part of their enjoyment is feeding the ducks and swans at the lake.
"Our bread amnesty is about encouraging people to feed the birds the right food whilst still enjoying a great visit to the park.”
Outside of Love Parks Week, bird seed is available to buy from the Pavilion Café in the park.
No dogs in the lake
The Council would also like to remind all dog owners visiting the park to keep their dogs from swimming in the lake at this important nesting time, as it can disturb the wildfowl and sometimes cause them to abandon their nests.
Free dog waste bags will also be available from the park office.
For more information about about Priory Park see the Priory Park page.
Love Parks Week (24 July - 1 August 2010) is an annual campaign, organised by parks charity GreenSpace, to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy and support their local parks.
Last updated : 22/07/2010
