Don't feed the Peterborough pigeons plea
A plea has been put out for people not to feed pigeons and other birds in Peterborough city centre.
While for some, feeding the birds has been an activity they enjoyed as children – and with their children – now the city council is calling for people to stop the practice.
Officials have said mess created by the animals – and the potential for diseases to be spread – as some of the main reasons why they have decided to call time on it.
Reasons given for plea
A spokesperson said: “As the cold weather descends we know that some of you will be tempted to feed our feathered friends in the city centre.
“But while we recognise that this is done with kind intentions, unfortunately we would please ask that you refrain as it leads to issues in such a high footfall area.
“These include: Increased bird droppings on pavements, street furniture and around businesses; Additional cleaning requirements to keep public areas clean and welcoming; Uneaten food and waste being left on the ground, which can make areas look untidy and potentially attract other pests; Larger numbers of birds gathering in particular locations, which can cause a nuisance for businesses, residents and visitors and Food and bird activity around busy pedestrian areas creating additional slip and cleanliness concerns.”
Workers given abuse for asking people not to feed pigeons
A ‘Mythbuster’ page has been set up on the city council website, explaining more about the decision.
The page says that the City Impact team have been greeted with hostility from people when informed that they should not be feeding birds.
It says: “Concentrations of birds and accumulated droppings can increase opportunities for disease transmission. The risk to the general public is usually low, but cleaning contaminated areas can still present occupational health risks.
“Higher numbers in dense areas increase the risk of disease transmission, such as avian flu and salmonella.”
The page adds that some of the food offered to birds in the city is not helpful to the creatures themselves.
It says: “Bread, crisps, and chips offer low nutritional value, which can result in poor growth in young birds and weak immune systems. Additionally, poor food can lead to obesity.
“In addition, discarded bread is inviting for mould and bacterial growth, which can cause fatal respiratory infections, and decomposing bread can pollute water.
“Finally, heavy bread can be particularly dangerous for birds in winter, when it can sit heavily in the cold weather and even freeze in their stomachs.”
‘City centre should be welcoming to wildlife, but it also needs to be clean’
But it also says that there are, of course, times when feeding the birds is encouraged.
Highlighting the ‘myth’ that ‘We should never feed birds,’ the page says: “Definitely untrue - feeding garden birds responsibly can be beneficial, particularly during periods when natural food is scarce.
“A small amount of food for our feathered friends at homes spread across the city is fine.
“A city centre should be welcoming to wildlife, but it also needs to be clean, accessible and attractive to residents, businesses and visitors.”