Diss Park fans take to Mere’s new feeder like a duck to water

A new feeding station has been unveiled by the Mere in Diss in an attempt to stop people from feeding bread to the town’s resident ducks.

It is hoped that the new addition to Diss Park will help to reduce overfeeding, while keeping pests at bay.

An abundance of excess bread has previously been blamed for an increase in rats, while, in 2019, the town was forced to employ a hawk to scare away roosting pigeons.

A sign on the machine states: “Bread makes ducks ill and does not contain the right nutrition or calories that they need to grow or keep warm.

“Rotting bread pollutes the water and cause nasty surface algae, which kills wildlife and gives ducks diseases.”

The £1 dispenser, which is situated at the end of Madgett’s Walk, is solar-powered and offers contactless payment.

It was made possible thanks to a partnership between Diss Town Council and The Feed Ducks Initiative.