For many people, one of their most memorable and enjoyable childhood activities was going to feed the ducks. All you needed was to take some bread down to your nearest pond, stream or another body of water, to feel close to nature. However, one of the most upsetting things to learn is that, in fact, you should not be feeding ducks bread as it can be dangerous for them.

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Britons up and down the country are now able to undertake unlimited exercise and meet one person outside their household in open spaces. Under the new lockdown rules, you are also able to travel distances to visit open spaces such as a park. For many, especially parents, visiting your local park to feed the ducks is a nice way to spend your allocated time outdoors and amuse your children.

What you should never feed to ducks: What are six things which you should avoid feeding to ducks?

What you should never feed to ducks: You should never feed ducks bread, chips and crackers

READ MORE Zoo animals SAVED from euthanasia - homeless penguins rescued But what are the six things you should never feed to the ducks? Bread

Chips

Crackers

Cereal

Sweets

Mouldy food Although bread is not harmful to ducks on its own, it fills them up and they then do not feel any need to eat anything else, which in turn can be dangerous. Ducks cannot live on bread alone as it has no real nutritional value.

What you should never feed to ducks: Bread holds no nutritional value for ducks

If ducks constantly eat that and nothing else, it can lead to malnourishment for the ducks. Similarly to bread, chips, crackers, cereal and sweets cause ducks to feel full up, leading to bloating. This can make ducks feel lethargic and ill-looking. These items also contain no nutritional value for ducks and can be damaging to a duck. Meanwhile, mouldy food can be physically harmful to a duck as they are unable to combat the potentially damaging impacts of mouldy food.

READ MORE How to build a bird box - fun crafts to try this bank holiday RSPB spokesman Harry Bellew said: “Feeding the ducks on the park pond – or geese and swans on rivers – is often the first experience children have with wildlife and is a family favourite activity. “But it is important that we’re feeding ducks the right kind of food to help keep them happy and healthy, whilst ensuring our waterways are kept in a good condition. “Try to vary what you give them and swap it for healthier more natural treats like oats, corn or defrosted frozen peas. “It’s a bit like if we eat too much bread or food like it – we feel fine to start with but then we can feel bloated and sluggish. And that can be detrimental for birds as they will fill up on it and not on other, more nutritional.”foods.”

What you should never feed to ducks: Ducks can feel bloated if they eat these banned foods

What you should never feed to ducks: Ducks

Mr Bellew added: “There is a risk that ducks and other waterfowl can get an illness known as angel wing, which is caused by not getting the right nutrients in their diet. “The illness causes as deformity in birds’ wings that can hamper the way they fly or even stop them altogether, which could obviously be fatal. “Uneaten, rotting food left by ducks can trigger noxious odours and fuel algae that can eventually eradicate fish from the area, as well as attracting rats, mice and insects. “Mouldy bread can also cause aspergillosis a fatal lung infection that can wipe out waterfowl in flocks.”