L-R: Cllr Mary Kavanagh, Georgina Franey Wicklow MD, Louise Kelly, Leonora Earls Wicklow Tidy Towns, Francis Turner Wicklow MD and Matthew Knight from Feed Ducks Initiative.
Cllr Mary Kavanagh, Wicklow Tidy Towns and Wicklow Municipal District have joined forces to launch a brand new duck feeding initiative beside the Parnell Bridge in Wicklow city.
The mission is geared toward growing consciousness of the welfare of swans, geese and different wild birds.
Cllr Kavanagh noticed that the mission was working within the UK and found that it was being rolled out in Ireland. She acquired in contact with the person behind the initiative, Matthew Knight, who knowledgeable her that there was a neighborhood profit connected whereby any neighborhood group that took over the upkeep of the machine, and refilled it, might earn a share of gross sales for his or her group to assist with their work.
Cllr Kavanagh contacted Wicklow Tidy Towns and spoke with Leonora Earls.
Having consulted with the Tidy Towns committee, Leonora stated the group could be delighted to tackle the upkeep of the duck feeder as a approach of serving to to fund their very own tasks.
Wicklow Municipal District have been on board too and supplied the bottom for the machine. They additionally put in a feeding platform on the river, which is almost full and simply awaiting the set up of recent security railings.
The duck feeder was provided freed from cost by the Feed Ducks Initiative. Specially designed wildfowl meals are disbursed at a cost of €1 or €2.50 per portion. Payment is by bank card to scale back the potential of vandalism.
The machine is photo voltaic powered and sends a sign when it wants topping up. Bags should not provided so as to cut back litter, so individuals are requested to deliver alongside their very own reusable container.
Cllr Kavanagh stated: “The new feeding machine has been well received by local people. Birdwatch Ireland advocates that people don’t feed bread to swans as it can cause a condition known as ‘angel wing’ where the wings become deformed causing the swans to become flightless and lead to early death.
“Children in particular love feeding the swans and ducks. Under this initiative, the birds get a healthier diet, the Wicklow Tidy Towns earns money to help in their great work, and children enjoy feeding the wild birds and learning about animal welfare, so it’s a win/win all round.
“Wicklow is the first area in the east of Ireland to install the duck feeder. Hopefully other Tidy Towns and voluntary groups will follow. It’s great to be part of this important new initiative.”
