Feed the Ducks on Bude Canal

A stroll along the Bude Canal is always a treat, calm water, boats gently drifting past, and a cheerful chorus of quacks from the canal’s feathered residents. One of the simplest and most fun things to do while visiting is feeding the ducks. It’s a small moment that often becomes a favourite memory of a day in Bude.

But if you’re planning to treat our canal locals, there’s a Bude-approved way to do it.

Quack, Quack! Feeding the Ducks on Bude Canal

A stroll along the Bude Canal is always a treat — calm water, boats gently drifting past, and a cheerful chorus of quacks from the canal’s feathered residents. One of the simplest and most fun things to do while visiting is feeding the ducks. It’s a small moment that often becomes a favourite memory of a day in Bude.

But if you’re planning to treat our canal locals, there’s a Bude-approved way to do it.

Pick Up Bird Seed from the TIC

Your duck-feeding adventure starts at the Bude Tourist Information Centre, where you can buy scoops of bird seed specially chosen to be safe and healthy for the birds.

While bread used to be the traditional duck snack, it’s not actually very good for them. The seed sold at the TIC gives ducks, geese, and other canal birds proper nutrition and helps keep the canal environment clean and healthy.

A scoop of duck food costs just £1, making it a fun and affordable activity for families and visitors.

If you find yourself returning regularly (and many people do!), you can also purchase a discount card for £8, which includes two free scoops to use whenever you like. It’s a popular option with local duck-feeders who visit the canal often.

We do provide paper bags for your scoop of bird seed, but if you have a small bag or reusable container with you, we encourage you to use it. It’s a simple way to help reduce waste and keep the canal area looking its best.

Feed Along the Towpath

When feeding the ducks, we encourage visitors to scatter the seed along the canal towpath rather than throwing it into the water.

This helps keep the canal clean and ensures the birds can easily find the food without it sinking or affecting the water quality. It also means you get a brilliant close-up view as the ducks waddle over to investigate.

And trust us — once one duck spots the snacks, word spreads quickly.

Meet the Canal Characters

Keep an eye out and you’ll soon meet some of the canal’s regular residents:

• Friendly mallards paddling over to see what you’ve brought

• The occasional moorhen darting around the reeds

• Elegant swans gliding past

• Some very sociable geese

In fact, a few of the geese are so friendly they’ll happily eat seed straight from your hand. It’s a lovely way to get close to the wildlife — just hold your hand flat and let them do the rest.

Keep an Eye Out for Malcolm the Mandarin

Among the canal’s feathered residents is a bit of a local celebrity — Malcolm the Mandarin duck.

Mandarin ducks are known for their incredible colours, and Malcolm is no exception. With his striking orange “sails”, deep chestnut feathers and bold patterns, he’s easily one of the most colourful birds you might spot along the canal.

Malcolm has become something of a favourite with regular visitors and locals alike. If you’re lucky, you might see him paddling along the canal or wandering the towpath with the other ducks.

When Can You See Baby Ducks?

One of the most delightful sights along the canal is a line of fluffy ducklings paddling behind their mother.

Ducklings are usually seen in spring and early summer, most commonly from April through June. During this time, mother ducks lead their young along the canal as they learn to swim, feed and explore their surroundings.

What About Baby Geese?

The canal’s Canada geese also raise their young here, and their fluffy babies are known as goslings.

Goslings usually appear in late spring, often around May and early June. You might see them grazing on the grass along the towpath or paddling along the canal with their parents keeping a careful watch nearby.

Unlike ducklings, goslings spend a lot of time walking and grazing on land, so you may spot them nibbling grass along the banks as well as swimming.

If you see goslings or ducklings, it’s best to give the families a little space and avoid feeding right next to them so the parents can keep their young together safely.

Does Feeding the Ducks Change Their Natural Habits?

It’s a question many people ask, and the good news is that occasional feeding with suitable food doesn’t replace the birds’ natural diet.

Ducks, geese and other canal birds still spend much of their day foraging naturally for plants, insects and small aquatic creatures. The bird seed offered by visitors simply acts as an additional snack rather than their main food source.

Using appropriate food — like the seed available from the TIC — and feeding small amounts along the towpath helps keep things balanced for both the birds and the canal environment.

Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands

After feeding the birds, it’s a good idea to wash your hands. Conveniently, the public toilets at the Tourist Information Centre are open every day, making it easy to freshen up before continuing your day exploring Bude.

A Perfect Family Activity

Feeding the ducks is one of those wonderfully simple activities that children absolutely love. There’s something magical about watching a group of waddling ducks hurry over when they realise snacks are available.

It’s fun, outdoors, and a great way for young visitors to connect with nature.

A Little Canal Magic

The Bude Canal is full of peaceful moments — and feeding the ducks is one of the most charming. With a scoop of bird seed from the TIC and a gentle walk along the towpath, you’ll quickly become very popular with the canal’s feathered residents.

Just be ready…

Once the ducks spot you with snacks, there’s no hiding.