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Fish and chips harming eider ducks - wildlife expert | Fish and chips harming eider ducks - wildlife expert |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Eider ducks in Northumberland's coastal areas are being harmed by people feeding them fish and chips, a wildlife expert has warned. | Eider ducks in Northumberland's coastal areas are being harmed by people feeding them fish and chips, a wildlife expert has warned. |
Chris Watson says people living or visiting the area often wrongly believe eiders are tame as they are "friendly". | Chris Watson says people living or visiting the area often wrongly believe eiders are tame as they are "friendly". |
He told BBC Radio Four's Broadcasting House the sea birds may seem to enjoy the food but it damages their eggs. | He told BBC Radio Four's Broadcasting House the sea birds may seem to enjoy the food but it damages their eggs. |
The Northumberland coast is recognised as a haven for wild birds, including colonies of eiders. | The Northumberland coast is recognised as a haven for wild birds, including colonies of eiders. |
Mr Watson, whose work as a nature sound recordist includes documentaries with Sir David Attenborough, said: "Normally eider ducks eat shellfish not fish and chips - [which is] lacking calcium so the eggs are failing. | Mr Watson, whose work as a nature sound recordist includes documentaries with Sir David Attenborough, said: "Normally eider ducks eat shellfish not fish and chips - [which is] lacking calcium so the eggs are failing. |
"There's a problem because they are such attractive, friendly birds to feed, and yet the food that we are giving them - bread and things like that - is actually causing a dietary problem." | "There's a problem because they are such attractive, friendly birds to feed, and yet the food that we are giving them - bread and things like that - is actually causing a dietary problem." |
The RSPB says eiders are the UK's heaviest ducks and the fastest flying. As well as the Northumberland coast, they are resident off Scotland and Northern Ireland. |
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