DUCKS IN THE MUCK

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An End: Semester Complete

If you have not figured it out yet you may realize that this blog was a project assigned in an English class at a local university. Although this was assigned it is about something I truly care about. I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about our wildlife and how delicate their way of living is, and if we come in and alter that ( by feeding them unnatural foods) we can cause serious harm to them and their habitat. If you could care less about the animals and their well being it may be good to take into account that with the destruction and altering of the animals habitat and behaviors it can seriously jeopardize your experience when visiting. The sources listed previously will back up these accusations and hopefully you will take the time to research it yourselves. But as for this blog, it will be coming to an end. I have proclaimed my frustration to the internet, ans as I strive to change the behaviors of my community members at the local parks maybe this will inspire you to do the same. If you need help with ideas on how to help visit :

http://ducksandclucks.com/blog/2015/01/13/bread-is-bad-for-ducks/

This is a wonderful blog written by a avid duck rescuer. She has a fun way to teach the community about ducks and their diets. She is trying to make a difference, and that is what I will continue to strive to do. A Sanjayan, M. stated, “The new wild is the realization that we humans are part of nature and that saving nature is really about saving ourselves. Nature isn't something out there, far away. It's living, breathing. It's part of us.” We all need to spend a little less time focused on ourselves and learn to appreciate everything around us. We are interdependent with nature, and as the human population grows the importance of respecting nature and taking care of it will increase. We depend on resources provided by our local habitats. Although saving the ducks and their habitats is not an overwhelming problem, if we as a community can take the initiative to protect one local wildlife community we will be that much closer to creating balance between humans and nature.

[uniqueinternetbird-blog]

Sources

Below I have listed some sources that A) I found intriguing B) help support why it is important to care about our local wildlife.  They are not all about ducks. But it was reassuring finding so many articles and authors who care enough to take the time to write about our wildlife and their habitat and what we can do to help. 

- Richards, Peter. "Feeding Wildlife." The Art Of Healing 1.22 (2008): 56. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 12 June 2015.

 http://ezproxy.uvu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=34151419&site=eds-live

- Mallick, Stephen A., and Michael M. Driessen. "Feeding Of Wildlife: How Effective Are The ‘Keep Wildlife Wild’ Signs In Tasmania's National Parks?." Ecological Management & Restoration 4.3 (2003): 199-204. Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 June 2015.

http://ezproxy.uvu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=11280467&site=eds-live

- Hockett, Karen S., and Troy E. Hall. "The Effect Of Moral And Fear Appeals On Park Visitors' Beliefs About Feeding Wildlife." Journal Of Interpretation Research 12.1 (2007): 5-27. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 12 June 2015.

http://ezproxy.uvu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=26777000&site=eds-live

- Taylor, Nicola. "In It For The Nonhuman Animals: Animal Welfare, Moral Certainty, And Disagreements." Society & Animals 12.4 (2004): 317-339. Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 June 2015.

http://ezproxy.uvu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=16092923&site=eds-live

- Michael, Mike. "Roadkill: Between Humans, Nonhuman Animals, And Technologies." Society & Animals 12.4 (2004): 277-298. Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 June 2015.

http://ezproxy.uvu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=16092925&site=eds-live

- Dunkley, L. and Cattet, M.R.L. “A Comprehensive Review of the Ecological and Human Social Effects of Artificial Feeding and Baiting of Wildlife.” Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre: Newsletters and Publications. Paper 21.  01 of February 2003.

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=icwdmccwhcnews

- Campbell, A. Tyler and Long, David B. and Shriner, Susan A. “Wildlife Contact Rates at Artificial Feeding Sites in Texas.” Springer Science+Business Media New York. 23 April, 2013

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/publications/13pubs/campbell132.pdf

- “Stop Feeding Waterfowl” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Copy Right 2015. 12 June, 2015.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7001.html

- Heiser, Carol A. “Feeding Wildlife: Food for Thought” Virginia Department of Game and Inlands Fisheries.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/habitat/wild-in-the-woods/feeding-wildlife-food-for-thought.pdf

http://www.duckrescuenetwork.org/duck_care.html

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[uniqueinternetbird-blog]

As I have begun to research Ducks I have found very little talk about it in the blogosphere. Lets face it! People just are not that excited about ducks! I will admit that it takes a certain type of person to voluntarily research, and care about these feathery creatures that inhabit our ponds. But miraculously I was able to find someone who cares even more about our local ducks! The blog is called Ducks and Clucks, written by Silly Human(Tiff and her flock). The link to their blog ishttp://ducksandclucks.com/blog/about-us/ 

I really enjoyed exploring their blog. Simply put, they rescue ducks! They will take in injured ducks and rehabilitate them, or house them until they have lived a full happy life. I respect what they are trying to do, and wish I had to time and resources to do the same! 

There is a particular post that I would like to focus on. http://ducksandclucks.com/blog/2015/01/13/bread-is-bad-for-ducks/ This post is about this individuals strategy to educate the community on healthy foods to feed the ducks!  She even provides a fun little flyer to give out to our own communities. The flyer took an approach that I had not really thought of. Making duck education fun and at a child's level. It is simple, but effective, families feed ducks as a fun pastime. If we can educate the children about the dangers of feeding ducks bread and teach them some fun facts they will start to care about the ducks and we will help future generations. 

This blog has a draw to it because it doesn’t use the “shame on you” method in informing a community of a practice that needs to be fixed. Although I would have liked to see more factual information. This individual could use their expertise to really help the adults who are on the internet understand what will happen to the ducks when they consume too much bread. It doesn’t have to be presented in a accusatory manner, but we could benefit from a good education. 

[uniqueinternetbird-blog]

Hello Internet! Welcome to my blog, Ducks in the Muck. This blog will discuss the practice of feeding ducks and the negative side affects of bread(cereal, crackers) to their health and the environment they live in. I live near a popular duck pond, which is located in a beautiful little park, that is, until you get to the duck pond. The pond is regularly lined with large amounts of soggy chunks of bread and sugary cereals because the birds can't eat the exorbitant amount of bread thrown to/at them. The rocks on the shoreline are covered in old bread. Ducks are forced to lay in it, even the ponds turtles who sit basking in the sunlight have bread sitting on them. It is disgusting. Not only is all of this bread bad for the ducks health, it can also be detrimental to the ponds ecosystem. As I watched families continue to toss bread into the pond I realized this problem will not be solved unless we can educate the community on what to feed the ducks, or better yet why we shouldn't feed them at all. I have posted a list of several links that can help back up my claims, and hopefully teach us a little more about our feathery local friends.

1) http://www.duckrescuenetwork.org/duck_care.html#park  

A nonprofit organization that wants to provide information to educate people on duck care. This page discusses the health complications caused by ducks who are large amounts of bread throughout their life span. 

2) http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7001.html   

New York State dealing with the side effects of artificial feeding sights. Discusses some diseases caused by the mass feeding of water fowl.

3)http://www.humanesociety.org/news/magazines/kind_news/2015/02-03/feeding-ducks-and-geese-can-be-harmful.html 

Defines Angle Wing, a disorder in young ducks who fill up on non-nutritious food instead of food found naturally in the environment. 

4)http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-31903778 

Article discussing the problems of feeding ducks. Suggest some ways to minimize the effects of feeding by spacing out feedings, minimizing buildup of uneaten feed.

5)http://casey-kimber.blogspot.com/2011/10/provo-utah-bucket-list-feeding-ducks-at.html 

A posting showing how the ducks at my local park have become desensitized to humans.

6)http://universe.byu.edu/2013/12/18/too-many-lucky-ducks-at-the-botany-pond/  

This article acknowledges the ducks and the overpopulation because this particular group of ducks are fed by humans. It also shows that because of the feeding practices this group of ducks do not migrate every year.