NEWPORT BEACH

Bird-loving residents were able to persuade the City Council this week to put off adopting an ordinance that would make it illegal to feed water fowl in public places. Instead, the council directed the Harbor Quality Committee to develop a sign and information program to educate the public on the problem.

The ordinance was intended to reduce the level of fecal bacteria in the bay, which has caused beaches to be closed. Orange County health officials say people feeding wild birds causes an unnatural overpopulation and results in more droppings in the water. But residents argue that until the city proves the birds are causing the increase in bacteria, feeding them should not be banned.