#30DaysWild – Feeding the ducks at Herschel Park

Herschel Park is a hidden gem in the middle of Slough. It’s a 3.5 hectare park and nature reserve and dates back to the 1840s. There is plenty of space for the girls to run about it, plus two small lakes and a bridge where they can stop and feed the ducks. It’s a lovely place to explore and very peaceful too. We’ve been there several times and it’s never been busy when we’ve visited.

 

Sophie feeding the ducks at Herschel Park (#30DaysWild)

 

Feeding the ducks is always a popular activity with my girls. If we’re out somewhere where there are ducks and we have no food, the girls are very disappointed! Fortunately, this time I had remembered to bring some defrosted frozen peas. My childhood memories of feeding ducks involved throwing bread at them. However, I’ve since learned that bread is not very good for ducks and so we tend to opt for duck food (if available) or defrosted peas or sweetcorn instead.

 

Sophie standing on the bridge looking at the ducks

 

Sophie loved feeding the peas to the ducks. She was in her element standing by the edge of the lake throwing the peas to them. We spotted a few ducklings in the lake. Most of the ducks seemed to be enjoying a mid-morning snooze in the sunshine though!

 

Sophie exploring Herschel Park in the sunshine

 

Once we’d finished feeding the ducks, we had a little walk around the park. Some of the trees have a numbered plaque in front of them, to show what type of tree they are. Sophie loves trying to find as many numbers as she can and asking me what the sign says. I have to admit I probably wouldn’t have a clue what most of the trees were without the help of the signs!

 

Sophie looking at one of the signs next to an oak tree

 

On the way back to the car, we also spotted some damselflies near one of the wildlife ponds. I would have liked to watch them for a while (and try to get a photo!) but Sophie was eager to get back home again.

 

This year we’re taking part in #30DaysWild – a challenge from the Wildlife Trusts to get outside each day in June, do something wild and connect with nature.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

18 thoughts on “#30DaysWild – Feeding the ducks at Herschel Park

  1. What a lovely way to spend the morning! Beautiful sunny day too, great to make the most of it in such a pretty park. And, love that they have signs on the trees, I’m useless at the names too 🙂 #countrykids

  2. This looks like the perfect way to spend the morning with Sophie, such a beautiful place to explore. I knew bread wasn’t very good for ducks but I didn’t realise peas were supposed to be a good replacement, I’ll have to have a look into this for on the farm here. Sophie looks like she had a wonderful time, it’s great that there are the plaques around the trees in the park too, a great way to learn more about nature.

    Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.

    1. I think I read about peas online when I first heard that bread was bad. The ducks don’t seem to like them as much as the bread though – bit like kids with cake vs veggies!

  3. I had no idea that there was a nature reserve in Slough. Also I had heard that we shouldn’t give ducks bread but didn’t actually know that frozen defrost peas were a good alternative – I will remember that thanks. Looks like you had a great day out. #countrykids

    1. It is a bit of a hidden gem – I never knew it was there until a family member suggested meeting there for an afternoon out.

  4. It’s been ages since we have fed the ducks, in fact I’m not sure Kipper has ever done that! Which is particularly rubbish on my part. I didn’t know about the peas we have always used bread traditionally – so will give this a go next time x #CountryKids

  5. I’ll have to remember about the peas! we have been taking out oats since I learnt about bread being bad for them, I feel so guilty now. the only thing with oats is that it isn’t very easy to throw! #countrykids

    1. Oats are good too. I might try that for a change. Peas aren’t as easy to throw as bread either!

    1. The ducks don’t seem quite so enthusiastic about it as they did with bread but it is much better for them! 🙂

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