The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has issued updated recommendations for gardeners on how to support birds through planting, alongside new guidance on supplementary feeding during the summer and autumn months.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) along with charities such as the SongBird Survival Trust, advises against offering seed mixes and peanuts from May to October, a period when the risk of disease transmission at feeders is higher.
In line with this, the RHS has announced that it will no longer sell seed mixes and peanuts in its retail outlets or at its shows during this period and recommends that gardeners store any previously purchased supplies for later use in the year.
Bird feeders and baths can act as vectors for pathogens such as trichomonosis, a disease caused by a parasite that has driven significant declines in greenfinch and chaffinch populations and is now affecting bullfinches. According to the 2021 UK Breeding Bird Survey, the greenfinch population fell from around 4.3 million to approximately 1 million birds, representing a 77% decline – the largest population drop of any British bird species attributed to infectious disease on record. For more detailed information, see the 2024 thedirt.news report on Trichomonosis and related in-depth article, titled ‘Trichomonosis: Are our bird feeders up to scratch?‘ evaluating whether common bird feeders meet safety standards.
The RSPB’s updated guidance advises against using flat-surfaced feeders and recommends providing water only when it can be refreshed daily. Reflecting these concerns over disease transmission, the RSPB withdrew flat bird feeders from sale in January 2025.
RHS retail, shows, and gardening advice have now been updated to align with these recommendations.
Natural bird feeding
With more than 140 bird species either nesting in or visiting UK gardens, one of the most effective ways to support birds is by growing plants that provide natural food sources. In late spring and summer, when supplementary feeding is not advised, plants such as field scabious, dog rose, and lavender attract insects and other invertebrates, which form the primary diet of many birds during warmer months.
Seed-rich summer plants, including sunflowers, cornflowers, and angelica, can continue to provide food into the colder months if their seed heads are left standing. Seed heads also support overwintering invertebrates, offering an additional food source for birds through winter and into spring.
Garden management practices, such as maintaining areas of both long and short grass, can further benefit birds: dandelion seedheads feed species such as goldfinches, while short grass areas allow blackbirds, thrushes, and starlings to forage for worms and other invertebrates. Berrying shrubs and trees, including hawthorn, elder, ivy, viburnum, Rosa rugosa, and honeysuckle, provide crucial nourishment and visual interest during autumn and winter.
The provision of clean water is essential. A garden pond offers the safest option for birds to drink and bathe. Where a pond is not feasible, shallow containers or bird baths may be used, provided water is replaced daily and containers are cleaned at least weekly. Dense shrubs, hedges, and mature trees supply shelter and nesting sites, while nest boxes can support species such as swifts and sparrows that struggle to find natural cavities.
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