Feed-a-thon raises concerns about city ban on feeding ducks

StratfordBeaconHerald.com
Aug. 7, 2016
By Scott Wishart

It wasn't what you'd call a silent protest.

The ducks were simply too noisy for that.

But in response to their incessant quacking, Stratford resident Ken Wood just quietly tossed them corn as part of his feed-a-thon event along the Avon River near the boathouse on Saturday.

Wood was there to show his concern with the city's recent proposal to ban the feeding of ducks. At a council meeting July 25, the city's community services committee approved a recommendation to amend the feeding-of-wildlife bylaw to include ducks.

The city's plan is to post signs in parkland to discourage the practice, and to print informational brochures outlining the reasons for the ban. Failure to comply could carry a fine of $100.

Stratford resident Cheryl Bustin made her way to the riverside to support Wood in the feed-a-thon. She said she understands the need to prevent bulk feeding of the wildfowl, but that "putting a little bit of feed down isn't hurting anything."

And with feeding of swans still allowed, she said it would be tough for the bylaw to be enforced, anyway.

"It's a silly law," she said.

Two reasons cited for the bylaw amendment are the mess created by the large numbers of ducks and geese and the disruption to the birds' migratory patterns.

Visiting theatregoer Tony Eufinger, a lawyer and civic politician from Ohio, watched with a smile as his six-year-old daughter Kate handed the birds corn from a cup.

"It's just a fun thing to be able to do," he said, noting that he'd seen little evidence of duck or goose droppings on the pathway.

"When people ask her about this trip, she will probably mention the theatre, but she will more likely mention feeding the ducks."

Wood, who is to bring his concerns about the wording of the bylaw to city council's regular meeting on Monday, said he was mildly surprised by the handful of supporters who came to join him.

"I was prepared to come out and be the only one here," he said. "I stand up for my beliefs. If other people agree, that's great. If they disagree, well that's their right, too.

"And as long as the discussion is going, I think that's going to benefit everybody."