Do ducks have good memories7/30/2023 ![]() Ponds supporting fed or reared duck are artificially supporting far more than they naturally could and tend to lead to visually unattractive muddy ponds devoid of plants and species-poor habitats. Ponds where duck are fed occasionally or regularly If the pond is able to sustain them without artificial feeding, the level of duck activity is probably at a natural balance and no harm is being done to the pond and its other wildlife. Instead they would naturally move on to a larger waterbody where there is more abundant natural food. However, this can cause problems where they fly in with seeds from invasive alien pond plants such as New Zealand pygmyweed, which can then rapidlyĭuck are unlikely to stay on to breed in the spring at small farm ponds where no extra food is provided as there will be insufficient natural food to sustain them and ![]() Indeed, ducks help to transport native plant seed toĭifferent ponds. ![]() Occasional foraging visits by a few duck should cause few problems and are part of the natural ecology of ponds. Ducks are part of the natural ecology of ponds, but by not encouraging them with artificial feeding and by planting duck-resistant vegetation it is possible to ensure that populations do not reach unsustainable levels and impact on wildlife. Analysis of Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s pond survey data and surveyors’ observations has reinforced the message that duck in any numbers can significantly reduce the wildlife value of a pond, especially for priority species such as great crested newt.
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