Ducks are disappearing from Newpark Fen at an alarming rate, according to local residents who are fearful that the ducks are disappearing in a sinister fashion.
The fears were expressed by Keep Kilkenny Beautiful organiser Elaine Bradshaw who said that the number of ducks present at the fen had dramatically dropped in recent years.
It’s thought that although some of the ducklings are being snatched by grey crows and herons, there are also more sinister happenings at the fen.
“There are reports that people are coming in the middle of the night with rods and they are putting bread on the hook, which the ducks are used to eating and they are reeling them in that way,” said Ms Bradshaw.
On Tuesday there were families of children with bags of bread ready to feed the ducks — but there were no ducks there. Some cultures do not regard ducks as an important part of wildlife heritage and it has been rumoured that the ducks are being caught in order to be eaten.
“It is a terrible thought and I hope it’s not happening but I have heard that this is going on after dark. I have also seen the little ducklings being taken from the fen by the larger birds and this is very distressing to see too,” added Ms Bradshaw.
There was a time when there were several families of ducks resident at Newpark Fen along with some families of swans who could fly in and out of the area — however, this is now not happening.
“Unfortunately, the swans’ flight path has been hindered by the new houses in the area and they have no room to land or take off like they once did. They used have a lovely walk from the fen with their family of cygnets down to the river but this doesn’t happen any more as they can’t make it in to the fen anymore.”
Ms Bradshaw has also come across the taking of swans for cooking in the Kilkenny Laois area.
“I actually came upon a group of people who had a swan on a spit on the Laois/Kilkenny border. It is terrible what some people will do,” she said.
Ms Bradshaw is also concerned about illegal fishing that is taking place in Kilkenny along the banks of the river.
“I have spoken to some men along the banks of the river who have even been seen taking out spent salmon, which are not ready for consumption, or very small fish which should ordinarily be thrown back in to the river, but they claim that they cannot understand when you ask them to leave or tell them that fishing of this nature is illegal. This is happening a lot and the fish supplies are also being diminished as a result,” she said.
Kilkenny’s river and fens are monitored on a regular basis by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board which said: “There are fines for those caught fishing illegally or for those caught interfering with the natural environment. The areas are patrolled regularly and those caught in the act will be dealt with accordingly.”
