Humans are not the only inhabitants of Kilburn High Road. There are quite a few dogs, virtually all on leash and many of them surprisingly large for urban pets. Cats rarely seen but there are plenty of birds. Disproportionately pigeons of course. Stop outside a shop and note several square feet of ground cover covered in white. Turns out to be a large quantity of raw white rice. Pigeons showing moderate interest. Apparently my worry about their wellbeing unnecessary. White rice not high in nutrition for either birds or humans but uncooked rice no particular avian hazard.
Suspect the chips - as in French fries not crisps - no particular nutritional boon for birds either. Occasionally see a few either spilled or discarded on the sidewalk. Presumably laced with salt. Usually received by the pigeons considerably more enthusiastically than the rice. Today a few chips next to a miscellaneous pile of garbage slated for the bin men. Great excitement as the feast is spotted by a group of starlings. They’re much warier than pigeons or crows, so harder to get several in a photo, but the small one pictured quite delighted to have made off with a chip.
And we home with a chicken from the rotisserie at our little Middle East butcher, equally pleased.
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