A man who travels from Vadu Pasii to Buzau to feed dozens of wild ducks has turned the lakeside in Crang Park into a stage for a daily spectacle enjoyed by passers-by and appreciated even by the local authorities, who have announced plans to help purchase food to see the birds safely through the cold season.

For almost 10 years, Costel Popa has cycled around 15 kilometres every day, there and back, to feed the wild ducks in Crang Park. 'They're my children,' he says, carefully making his way along the lakeside among the wild birds, occasionally calling out, 'Come to me, come to me.'

For several years now, the pond in Crang Park has been home to dozens of wild ducks. Increasingly mild winters have prompted the migratory birds to abandon their journey to warmer countries and spend the winter on the lake, situated in Buzau's largest woodland, a remnant of the once extensive Vlasia Woods.

The number of wild ducks has increased year after year, eventually prompting the local authorities to suspend recreational pedal boat rides on the lake.

The wild birds quickly won people's affection, particularly that of a resident of Vadu Pasii commune, who has made a habit of feeding them every day, year after year. He is driven not by any obligation but by the simple pleasure of something he has voluntarily taken upon himself. Carrying a bag full of sunflower seeds, having learnt that bread is not good for the birds, he approaches them, calling softly.

'I've been coming to feed the ducks ever since they first appeared on the lake. I feed them every year. These birds here, for example, are this year's ducklings. I've been calling to them year after year, and they recognise my voice. I say, 'Come to me. Come to me.' They even come towards me along the path when I cycle past them. That's how they've got used to me. It's something I enjoy doing, and I buy their food with my own money. I'm very fond of them. I come every day, unless something prevents me. It's my pleasure. I give them sunflower seeds because bread isn't good for them. Today I spent 10 lei, about 300 lei on average every month. I've grown very attached to them,' Costel Popa told AGERPRES.

To reach Crang Park in Buzau, he travels around seven kilometres from Vadu Pasii commune. Sometimes he stays in town until the evening so he can feed the wild ducks twice before returning home.

'Sometimes I feed them twice a day, once in the morning, then I go into the park and play Rummy, and in the evening I feed them again. I feel bad when I can't come, for example when it rains heavily, but I've got a rain suit that keeps the water out. I think there are about 50 ducks now. In the spring there were at least 300. They're like children to me. That's what I call them, my children. These are my children. I come from Vadu Pasii, about seven kilometres to get here and another seven back. We have to love them. They're God's creatures. Who's going to help them if we don't? And that's not all. Last week, one of them brought me a fish. It brought me a fish and put it down there at my feet. 'Look at that, it's brought me a fish,' I said,' the Buzau resident recalled.

Costel Popa would like the authorities to do more to protect the wild birds and hopes for greater understanding from some anglers, who occasionally become annoyed when the ducks disrupt their fishing by coming over to be fed.

'I sometimes argue with the fishermen. As for the authorities, I'd like them to put up signs telling people not to feed the ducks bread or other things, just sunflower seeds and corn. They should put up a sign saying, 'Don't feed the ducks bread.' There was that incident when several of them died, and the police came, because people feed them all sorts of rubbish. I used to keep birds and animals in my yard at home. I had a cow, I had all sorts of animals, but I don't have any now. I'm 75 years old, I get around on my bicycle every day, I feel good and I don't have any problems. I come to see the ducks, and I'll keep feeding them for as long as I live. Until then, I'll always be coming here. People generally like them. Everyone enjoys watching them and gathers around me when I throw the seeds. Some have even given me a little money to buy seeds,' Costel Popa said.

The local authorities appreciate his efforts and have announced that they will purchase food through the services under their authority to help the wild birds get through the cold season.

'I appreciate what this gentleman is doing, and to help him, we've decided to place an order for seeds this winter. We'll make an estimate so that we can buy food both for the wild ducks and for the roe deer in the forest. As for signs explaining how the birds should be fed, the Local Police have provided information, but people continue to give them bread and other food. What this gentleman is doing is extraordinary, and I publicly congratulate him,' Buzau Deputy Mayor Ionut Sorin Apostu told AGERPRES.

The colourful plumage and lively commotion attract onlookers whenever the man scatters a handful of seeds across the surface of the lake.

Having become inseparable over the years, the man and the ducks have transformed the lakeside into a stage where, every day, a delightful spectacle unfolds before passers-by. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Florin Zafiu; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)