Municipal experts urge cuts to bird feeding at Reykjavik Pond

Mbl.is reports that experts from four municipalities see no grounds to fund Dýravaktin’s bird-feeding programme and want the organisation to reduce its feeding. Dýravaktin says its work has not been shown to cause harm and is calling for a local assessment of the birds’ food needs at Reykjavik Pond.

The experts’ memorandum was presented to Reykjavik City Council’s environment and planning committee on November 11. It was prepared by specialists from Reykjavik, Hafnarfjordur, Kopavogur and Seltjarnarnes.

The memorandum says the feeding has been more extensive than the municipalities were initially told. It has taken place for up to five months a year, sometimes several times daily, at at least 12 locations from Seltjarnarnes to Reykjanes.

At Reykjavik Pond, Dýravaktin has considered it necessary to provide up to 40 kilograms of feed a day. Reykjavik Animal Service, by comparison, has given about three to 10 kilograms on some of the coldest days.

The city asked Dýravaktin to reduce feeding and told the organisation that Reykjavik Animal Service would feed the birds at the pond when needed, the memorandum says. Dýravaktin nevertheless continued daily feeding, including on days when the city service was also feeding the birds.

The experts warn that extensive, prolonged feeding could contribute to the spread of infection, alter birds’ behaviour and worsen water quality. They say feeding should primarily be a temporary measure in exceptional circumstances.

Dýravaktin says comparing feed quantities is inadequate without information about bird numbers, species, feed type and access to natural food. The organisation says it gives about 25 to 40 kilograms a day at the pond when conditions call for that amount. Volunteers count the birds, assess the weather and food supply, and monitor the birds’ response.

“Daily winter feeding does not mean the amount stays the same regardless of conditions. The feed is adjusted each time,” the organisation said. It says it mainly provides Icelandic barley on the banks and that volunteers observe the birds eating it promptly.

Dýravaktin says it takes the risk of infection seriously and has sought advice from Icelandic bird experts, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority and the British bird conservation organisation WWT.

The organisation cited an email from a veterinarian at the Food and Veterinary Authority during the winter of 2025. According to Dýravaktin, the veterinarian warned that infection could spread because birds gather in dense groups and feed can be contaminated by droppings. The veterinarian also did not recommend stopping feeding birds that had already been fed that winter, the organisation said, warning that changes could cause stress and move birds in ways that might contribute to the spread of infection.

Dýravaktin says risks from infection and food shortages should be assessed together. It wants to develop clear procedures covering feed type, quantities, hygiene and monitoring.