Fowl Play on Exeter Quay

Everyone’s pigeon in on feeding time at Exeter Quay, with the public complaining about an elderly man who arrives each morning with a trolley full of bread for his feathered friends.

One onlooker said: ““The man is there like clockwork by the Quay bridge about 8.45am every day, and there are so many birds there that it is really intimidating for people walking past.

“He has a trolley load of bread and feeds seagulls, ducks and swans.”

Another team of dedicated bird feeders take over in the evening with more supplies.

Alex Nimmo, who works near the Quay, said: “There is often a man and a woman with bags and bags of bread.

“All sorts of birds come down and they make such a mess everywhere.”

A spokesman for the city council said: “We would ask people to be sensible and feed birds in moderation when in public places, and preferably with seed rather than bread, which is better for the birds and doesn’t cause so many health issues.”

So if you’re considering a walk down to the Quay, you could be in for a very un-pheasant experience.