With the weather cooling off and the official start of fall this Sunday, more people are outside enjoying the City’s many parks. Here’s the low-down on feeding wildlife and fishing at park ponds and lakes:
- Though taking bread to “feed the birds” at area ponds and lakes is a fun tradition for many families, eating human food is not good for ducks, geese and other waterfowl, and the daily onslaught of “treats” from well-meaning visitors can cause them to stop seeking food elsewhere. When birds’ diets consist mainly of human foods, they become malnourished and can have birth defects. Instead, if left to fend for themselves, birds will receive everything they need from nature to stay healthy—including earthworms, small fish and fish eggs, seeds, algae and aquatic plants, amphibians and insects. It’s best to enjoy our park wildlife in other ways such as photography, “birdwatching” with binoculars, and/or journaling.
- Fishing is allowed at City of Richardson bodies of water and is covered by Texas Parks & Wildlife fishing regulations, including requiring a fishing license for all anglers age 17 and older. Please note that no boats or watercrafts are allowed to be used inside parks.
Website: www.cor.net/waterfowl
