A morning tinged with sadness…

Wilma and Sydney are all good thankfully, roughly two weeks until hatching and we are all waiting excitedly.
Sadly the moorhens won’t be hatching their fluffs though, as the nest was raised by a predator overnight and all eggs eaten - I found the shells on the bank first thing and mama moorhen was sitting in the reeds crying out over the loss of her eggs. It was so sad, I don’t know how anyone can claim these creatures don’t have feelings, I’ve seen enough to know they grieve and mourn just like humans do.
Another sad thing today, we’ve lost another gosling. One was off first thing, I had hoped it was just cold, but this evening we were down to eleven so I guess it was more serious…
But on the whole, things are OK at the lakeside ❤️

[@alliecat8348]

As a fellow bird lover I am curious as to what you are feeding them? Is that bread and rice? If it is , please Google what to feed these ducks and geese and swans because bread is extremely harmful! I know we love to feed our sweet feathered Friends but sometimes it is to their detriment. 😢 These waterfowl really only need grass and vegetation to be healthy.

[@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660]

Bread is fine as part of a varied diet, as long as it’s fresh. The ingredients are almost identical to the floating pellets that are made specifically for water birds, but pellets much more expensive.

[@mixtaperadio]

absolutely not! bread is extremely bad for any type of bird. also you introducing different food in that area is going to attract more predators. but keep doing what you want and don't listen to anyone. ​@@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660

[@Malo11]

@@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660they don’t digest bread properly and it provides no nutrients for them. It will cause them diseases…. Stop now

[@Malo11]

@@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660no

[@abeautifullife5303]

Awwww! Nature is cruel sometimes!

[@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660]

Very true. Beautiful but so sad at times.

[@myvillagebirds]

Agreed 👍👍

[@snowbirdlady7221]

You are feeding them bread? I know you love them, but bread is very bad for them.

[@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660]

It’s fine as part of a varied diet, as long as it’s fresh. The ingredients are almost identical to the floating pellets that are made specifically for water birds, but pellets much more expensive.

[@EricaA353]

So much chatting ..feed them already

[@jscwildheart2]

Oh, and one more thing.... I do believe you care very much about these birds, however, If these aren't "your birds", meaning they are wild and not on your property, and you dont provide veterinary care, MOST parks and such either have an ordinance about feeding (anything) to wildlife or its highly discouraged. I think they probably know a little more than you about these wonderful animals.

[@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660]

Rules in the UK are very different, and as we operate as a rescue, we do provide medical care and assistance when required.

[@kathytiseling5140]

I thought bread wasn't good for birds

[@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660]

It’s fine as part of a varied diet, as long as it’s fresh. The ingredients are almost identical to the floating pellets that are made specifically for water birds, but pellets much more expensive.

[@virginiamoss7045]

@@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660 I'm not so sure about that. I'll have to do a bit of research on this. Fresh shouldn't make any difference other than a slight loss of nutrition when not fresh.

[@reallifewiththecrazybirdla2660]

Fresh as in not mouldy as so many people think it’s a good idea to feed them the bread from their house that has gone mouldy. Ingredients are pretty much the same as the floating pellets, you’ll be able to check and confirm for yourself.