By Grace Howe
A visit to your local duck-pond can present a few surprises now that new cross- breeds and non-domestic wildfowl have fully integrated themselves into British wetlands.
National Trust conservationists, who manage parks such as Osterley Park and the vast expanses of Hampstead Heath in London, are raising concerns about the number of species now vying for space and shelter within the diminishing lake and pond areas of Britain.
A mallard duck
Most commonly seen in wildfowl parks across London now is the large red South African mallard duck, a relation to our very common British mallard. Although the birds cause intrigue for onlookers, with their beautiful red, black and tawny markings, they are felt to cause a hazard when it comes to feeding time. The South African mallard is up to four times the size and three times the height of its British counterpart, with a neck and body length of a goose. It can also reach for food far quicker than any other species commonly seen and can move quickly on land – where our water-bound ducks have not yet adapted their waddling manner for, despite the competition. We are used to seeing and feeding the common African black duck and the Asian white–faced whistling duck, yet these birds have posed little threat as they require roughly the same space and maintenance as our domestic breed.
Conservationists believe that these new species have been breeding in Britain for nearly three years but have only recently produced a sustained population growth that enables them to infiltrate our local city parks and be seen by the public.
Anine Akhtar, head of nutrition at the Wildfowl and Wetlands centre in Barnes, commented that “the problem here is not about conserved areas, because here we can ensure that all species receive adequate care and food. But in unmanaged areas such as local ponds and council-owned parks, there is the threat that the larger birds will take over. They take over space, nutrition, and water space.”
When asked if these changes are attributable to global warming influences and changes to the British climate, he said: “It is more a result of travelling and smuggling birds unfortunately, although the warmer winters here have certainly changed how all species of plant and wildlife breed, even within the last ten years.”
If you see these birds around, make sure you’re looking out for their less glamorous cousins.