Last updated at 13:47, Wednesday, 08 September 2010

PARKS and lakes are usually associated with lazy afternoons and the quacking of friendly ducks.

• Watch a video clip....

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

But some visitors to Barrow Park say they are being made to feel unwelcome by a gaggle of “vicious” geese.

People have contacted the Evening Mail, via Facebook, to complain about the birds.

Aggi Lewis, 39, who lives in Barrow, said: “When is something going to be done about the amount of geese in the park?

“Not only do you get attacked while feeding the ducks, but the state of the pathways and the grass is disgusting and I’m pretty sure it’s a health hazard to any child playing on the grass.”

And mother-of-two Lyndsey Turner, 29, said: “I totally agree that something needs to be done, as it is not only the amount of geese, they are vicious as well.

“We were feeding the ducks the other week and one came up and bit my daughter.”

The Evening Mail visited the park to feed the birds on Monday and spoke to regular park goers about the issue.

Ken Millard, 73, said: “There are too many of them and they make a mess.

“They would make a nice Christmas dinner.”

Dick Lewis, 68, who uses a electric wheelchair, said: “The birds come right up and peck at my leg.

“They are very inquisitive but they aren’t aggressive, they don’t attack.

“They can sometimes be protective of their young, understandably, but I have never had any problems.”

The park is managed by Barrow Borough Council.

Council parks manager Bill Brown says the birds do not belong to the council but visitors should keep their distance if they become aggressive.

He said: “We have not had any reports of people being attacked.

“There is not a great deal we can do about it. They are wild animals.

“It is unusual for birds to attack people.

“But my advice would be to keep away if they become aggressive.”

First published at 13:06, Wednesday, 08 September 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk