Environment

Southampton Town: Please feed the ducks

BARBARAELLEN KOCH FILE PHOTO | Ducks on the Peconic River near Grangebel Park.
BARBARAELLEN KOCH FILE PHOTO | Ducks on the Peconic River near Grangebel Park.

Locals were told last year not to feed the swans. In fact, last January the state put out a plan to kill or capture all mute swans by 2025 — a plan it later backtracked on.

Now, residents in Southampton Town are being encouraged to feed the ducks — ducks that are much in need of sustenance, according to officials.

“The severe winter and heavy ice conditions have put a severe strain on both Black Ducks and Broadbill Ducks whose numbers are already at an all time low in the North Atlantic Flyway,” according to Southampton Police.

As a result, Southampton Town purchased 3,000 pounds of corn feed for the ducks, which is available for residents to pick up and feed ducks in town.

“This winter is somewhat unprecedented in the amount of snow and ice and the frigid temperatures so critical parts of our food chain and eco-chain like the black ducks have been unable to feed themselves,” Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst told 1010 WINS’ Mona Rivera.

According to police, town Trustees bought the feed after it had been brought to their attention that several waterfowl had been found dead around town.

Anyone interested in picking up some feed can contact the town’s Bay Constable Office at 702-2268.