News Will tenants be banned from feeding the birds?
A resident of an East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) owned property in Blacktoft was shocked this week to receive a new tenancy agreement which ordered that the feeding of wild birds would be forbidden.
The resident, who does not wish to be named, was amazed to find that a new ERYC tenancy agreement, delivered to all council property residents, stated that wild birds could not be fed, despite the fact that the RSPB claims that feeding birds in the garden is a 'popular activity'.
The RSPB says: "Over half of adults in the UK feed birds in their garden. Providing birds with supplementary food brings them closer for us to marvel at their exciting behaviour and wonderful colours, and rewards them for sharing this intimacy with us."
But a spokesperson for ERYC told the Goole Times this week that the new tenancy agreement sent out to ERYC residents was simply a draft, and the council was welcoming residents' feedback on the agreement so that it can be improved before a final version is put together.
The spokesperson said: "This part of the agreement means that it is not acceptable for bird food to be left on the floor, although residents are still free to hang bird feed in baskets if they wish, and I am not sure whether the wording of the clause makes this clear.
"We ask people not to leave food on the floor, because it can attract vermin.
"The draft agreement has not been rubber-stamped by any means, and feedback on this can be a forum for debate. I would urge the resident concerned to contact the council before January 6 with their comments."
The RSPB advises that people wishing to feed wild birds should use bird tables, or nut and seed feeders.
However, the charity states that wild birds such as thrushes and dunnocks prefer to feed on the ground.
The RSPB says: "For these birds, scatter food on the lawn or use a ground feeding tray or hopper, well clear of cover to avoid lurking cats.
'Remember to change the area you scatter the food over every few days, and never put out more than is eaten the same day to avoid attracting vermin."
Published on 3rd January 2008 in News.
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