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The most numerous and conspicuous birds in the Gardens are the ducks, House Sparrows, European Starlings, and Rock Doves (pigeons). There are three species of ducks: Black ducks, Mallards and Muscovys. Other birds seen on the pond include Seagulls, and in the fenced area are two new Toulouse Dewlapped Geese, Finnegan (male) and Flora (female)
The ducks form part of a food chain that also provides food for other birds such as Herring and Blackbacked Gulls, Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged Hawks.
The Gardens are a highly managed ecosystem and birds play major roles in its ecology. The naturally-occurring foods eaten by the ducks are passed into the water as droppings, which provide nutrients for algae and other organisms.
Today, as in Victorian times, watching the birds and, in spring, looking for broods of ducklings and cygnets to arrive are favourite activities for the Gardens' visitors, especially the children.
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