Feeding of wildlife

It is not illegal to feed wild animals and we realise that it can bring a lot of pleasure, however you should be aware of problems that it may cause. Because of this we discourage the feeding of wildlife.

Birds

We advise against feeding birds in gardens because:

  • it can provide limitless food for rats from spilled nuts and seeds
  • it can encourage large numbers of birds and as a result, their droppings can cause damage or a mess over buildings, cars, garden furniture and washing
  • in the summer birds only require small amounts of certain types of food, feeding the wrong thing can do them harm

If you want feed birds, we ask that:

  • feeders are located above ground with catch trays suspended underneath and moved around regularly
  • the garden floor should be kept clear of any spilled feed

We ask that people do not:

  • scatter food on the ground
  • place food in open containers on the ground

Foxes

We advise against feeding foxes because:

  • it will encourage them into an area
  • they will take everything that is made available to them, burying what they do not need at the time and this can cause damage to gardens
  • it can impact on the natural behaviour of foxes if they remain in a small area

To deter foxes from gardens:

  • rubbish should be properly stored (a bin with a sealed lid is best)
  • make sure there is no leftover bird or pet food on the ground
  • remove places of shelter by clearing any areas of long grass or dense vegetation and keeping green house and garage doors closed

We provide food waste containers that are much stronger and more secure than a black sack. The food waste container is fitted with a locking system that cannot be opened by animals. If foxes can access the food inside it is likely that it is faulty, for more information on how to lock the blue food waste bin or request a new or replacement bin see our blue food waste bin page.

Where foxes continue to be a problem we would recommend leaving food waste containers and black sacks in a place foxes cannot access.

Enforcement powers

We have a duty to investigate "statutory nuisances".

In order to investigate bird droppings the problem would have to be bad enough to stop people enjoying the use of their homes or be a risk to health. We would also have to prove that people feeding the animals was the cause of the problem, this is difficult because of the large number of birds there are in the wild.

We have no powers to control foxes as they are not defined as pests or vermin in law, and we do not have a pest control team that offers this service. Some private pest control companies provide services for controlling foxes so it may be worth contacting them for advice.

Gulls are common in Southend due to its location and at certain times of the year will roost on roofs. We are unable to disturb gulls and other roosting birds as they are protected by law.

For further advice please see the following useful links:

Birds

Foxes

Wildlife Law

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