CALLS have been made for a floating island at Knap Lake after people reported their distress over seagulls attacking and killing ducklings.

Bird welfare group Swan Rescue South Wales has asked the Vale council to take preventative measures to protect the ducklings from the gulls.

Antonia Forte, 63, of St Brannocks Close, Barry, backed the idea of an island.

She said: “The sea gulls are very aggressive and ducklings would be fair game. They are a nuisance.”

Ellen Kershaw, of Swan Rescue South Wales, said: “Gulls are predators, and like us, have to ‘grab’ their food whenever they can. “Unfortunately, this is what gulls do – they are predators. The problem with the Knap lake is there is no cover for the ducklings to hide from the gulls and once they are in the water then they can’t get out.

“The council should be helping by providing an island. The gulls will always be there and will always be hungry – the ducklings will always be there and the killing will go on unless the council takes some action.

“The mum duck will automatically take her babies to the lake and of course they then make easy pickings for the gulls.”

“The council has been asked to provide a floating island with grasses and plants for cover and with easy access for the ducks, moorhens and coots to take their babies.”

Cllr Shirley Hodges said: “People are getting upset. Especially dog walkers who see the feathered families daily and watch the duckling numbers dwindle day by day.”

Vale council operational manager for leisure, Dave Knevett said they appreciated the distress such incidents could cause but that they were reluctant to build an island as it may encourage other birds to the area.

He said: “The bird population at the lake remains consistent, with an average of 30 swans there at any one time.

“Cardiff Airport have written to the council specifically requesting we do nothing to encourage more birds to the site, and building a floating island would do exactly that.

“Collisions with birds represent a major danger for aircraft and the lake’s close proximity to Cardiff Airport means we must be mindful of this threat.”