The sanctuary nature of downtown Lakeland’s Lake Morton works to protect a wide variety of birds – and snakes and gators – from predators and the stress of living in the wild. But their greatest threat may come from well-intentioned humans who enjoy strolling the shore and tossing bread and other human food to the always eager denizens of the lake.
This is what the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission biologist Morgan Parks has to say:
“Don’t!” and “Please don’t!”
Nothing good can come from bringing the birds to your table, she says. Bread, nuts, cereal, hot dogs, etc, are not part of their natural diet and only cause harm.
But who among us has a bag or barrel full of properly constituted bird food?
Well, the city of Lakeland actually does. And it is available from four feeders stationed around the lake at approximately the points of the compass:
- (North) the Chamber of Commerce
- (East) across from the Lakeland Public Library
- (South) halfway between South Boulevard and Success Avenue
- (West) at the Wilsonian Apartments.
A quarter yields about a handful and the birds eat the pellets one at a time, so a single serving may go a long way. Swans and other tall species will cheerfully (and safely) eat right out of your hand. And they will find you. Simply approaching the lake gets their attention because they associate humans with food.
Over the course of the last 12 months the city has collected about $4,000 from the feeders while spending close to $9,500 to fill them, along with the 10 self-feeders along the shore, and pens in which some birds are kept for observation or treatment.
So if you are inclined to make the most of a visit to this bucolic destination, consider collecting some pocket change and treat the creatures there to “dinner out” rather than stale leftovers. Because they are a part of what makes Lakeland, well, Lakeland, we owe them our best.
If you aren’t carrying any quarters and still feel compelled to feed the birds, try these instead of bread:
- Corn (canned, frozen or fresh)
- Duck pellets (sold online and at pet stores)
- Lettuce, other greens (torn into small pieces)
- Frozen peas (defrosted)
- Oats (rolled or instant)
- Seeds (including birdseed or other varieties)
Michael Maguire and his wife Phyllis have lived in Lakeland since 1984 and moved to a bungalow just south of Lake Morton in 1994. He walks around it twice most mornings and he and Phyllis visit most evenings, watching the birds and the bird “feeders”.
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.