Background
The Parish Council recently commissioned a report on ways to improve the ecology of Jubilee Pond, Gilberdyke.
At the February 2025 Parish Council meeting, the Council agreed to recruit a project coordinator who will implement the report’s recommendations. In the meantime, you can help with reducing wildfowl numbers.
Jubilee Pond can not sustain the numbers of wildfowl that currently inhabit the site. There is an increasing risk to public health, the wildfowl have been devastating for biodiversity at the pond, and the end result will be, inevitably, the death of the fish in the pond.
Options available
The first is to pursue non-lethal methods to deter wildfowl from using Jubilee Pond as a habitat.
This can be achieved only through a combination of methods, including:
- Restricting access to food sources, including a “no-feeding” policy.
- Visual deterrents, such as reflective tape or kites. A hawk kite could be positioned on top of the container, for example.
- Modification of loafing (where wildfowl rest on land) and/or roosting areas. Posts and barrier tape can be used to proof loafing areas at the pond.
- Where birds habitually walk from one area to another it might be possible to erect a fence, even of a temporary nature, to deter birds from walking in that direction.
These are taken from Natural England’s guidance. The residential nature of Jubilee Pond prevents the use of some of the other options.
The capture and removal of wildfowl is regarded as a lethal option as the trauma of capture and relocation will result in injury and death for a percentage of the wildfowl.
A specific license is available “to kill or take certain species of wild birds to preserve public health or public safety” that covers Canada geese.
In respect of the ducks, they’re a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, and there is a requirement to apply for a license.
Natural England are likely to require the Council to have attempted to use non-lethal options before they will consider issuing a licence for the capture and removal of the ducks.
How you can help
Various different visual deterrents will start to be deployed at the site.
However, you can help with the efforts to reduce the wildfowl population now.
The single best way to reduce the numbers of wildfowl is to stop feeding them. There is only one outcome for Jubilee Pond from continuing to feed the wildfowl.
