While undoubtedly done with good intentions, there are a number of important reasons why we shouldn’t feed birds in the city centre and the Embankment – even in the approaching colder months.
The issue isn't necessarily that birds shouldn't be fed; it's that large numbers of people feeding birds in concentrated urban areas can create problems for other wildlife, for people shopping/visiting; and the environment.
Councils and wildlife organisations often discourage it, and we address some of the misconceptions and myths below.
Myth: As long as there’s enough food for all the birds, they will just eat and go away
Reality: Regular feeding attracts large numbers of birds – particularly pigeons - to the same locations. This can lead to overcrowding and competition for food, increasing aggression.
Myth: It’s harmless to people
Truth: 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.
Myth: The birds just take a few pieces and then fly off
Truth: Birds can sometimes become accustomed to easy access to human food rather than spending time foraging naturally. This can change their behaviour and feeding patterns, leaving them unable to find food when the people aren’t feeding them anymore.
Myth: A few crisps, seeds and bits of bread won’t harm
Truth: The seeds might be OK, but heavily processed foods are high in artificial additives and preservatives.
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.
Myth: No other animals are affected
Truth: Rats and mice certainly are – when uneaten food falls onto pavements, into drains and around buildings rodents and other pests will arrive in force to hoover it up, particularly at night.
This can lead, in a worst-case scenario, to local infestations which contribute to poorer water quality and an increased risk of disease.
Discarded old food can also be picked up by dogs as they are walked through the city and even attract animals such as foxes.
Artificial feeding can also favour certain species, particularly pigeons and gulls, over smaller birds. This can affect local urban biodiversity.
Myth: The birds eat and then disappear, and you would barely know they’ve been there.
Truth: Large concentrations of pigeons and other birds produce substantial amounts of droppings – that mess and fouling then needs to be cleared up by our City Impact Team.
In recent weeks the team has tackled substantial mess on pavements and public seating, and shopfronts and dining areas.
In time, the acidity of untreated bird droppings can start to damage street furniture, and are corrosive to stone, metal, paint and roofing materials. Droppings increase the risk of slipping on pavements.
Myth: Who cares about the issue really?
Truth: Other shoppers.
Members of the public and businesses have previously told us they are unhappy about the mess on pavements, and the noise and sometimes even aggression of birds on Cathedral Square and the city centre
Pigeons have previously caused a nuisance to shoppers and visitors to the city centre, resulting in a negative shopping experience and which could deter others from visiting.
We have a duty to protect our shoppers and businesses, with public health and safety being paramount. We have many fine eateries in Peterborough, which should not have to be concerned about increased numbers of vermin near front doors.
Myth: So what if there’s mess - cleaning the city centre is what we pay our council tax for?
Truth: In recent weeks our City Impact team have been greeted with hostility from people when informed that they should not be feeding birds – there is no need for this.
The objective shouldn't necessarily be to discourage birds. It should be to encourage a healthy urban bird population without creating artificial feeding hotspots and an increased need for cleaning and manpower to deal with it.
Myth: People tend to take the wrappers and containers home
Truth: Largely, but not always – and there is usually a substantial amount of waste(including leftover food, droppings and containers) for our teams to pick up any morning.
Discarded fast food wrappers can be a blight on city centres. And don’t forget that littering can lead to a £100 fixed penalty notice.
Myth: We should never feed birds
Truth: 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.