The RSPB has updated its guidance on seasonal bird feeding in the UK, advising garden bird lovers to adjust their seed and peanut feeders from this month
If you want to protect your local wildlife, consider making this change(Image: Eva Kongshavn via Getty Images)
Households are being urged to take action with bird feeders in their gardens in May. This is because the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has issued new recommendations for caring for birds throughout the UK.
Many people take pleasure in watching the birds visiting their gardens, whether they’re perched on fences or taking a dip in outdoor baths. Hobbyists often keep track of which species regularly appear, which can make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
To help enthusiasts make the most of birdwatching, Tim Jones has been sharing helpful advice on Instagram. He’s amassed more than 89,000 followers on his ‘BeginBirding’ page, where he speaks to fellow nature lovers.
For his latest video, Tim made a suggestion about bird feeders in May. In a short clip, he warned: “Feeding garden birds is causing more damage than most people realise.”
The RSPB has recently updated its guidance on feeding garden birds, which is supported by scientific evidence. They now recommend avoiding seed or peanut feeders, as well as flat-surface bird feeders, between 1st May and the end of October.
“The reason for this is diseases like trichomonosis are spread through food at shared feeders, and it’s been devastating our finch populations for two decades,” Tim explained.
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According to the RSPB, Trichomonosis is a deadly disease affecting garden birds, particularly greenfinches and chaffinches. It causes throat lesions, leading to lethargy, drooling and swallowing difficulties, and spreads through contaminated feeders and water sources.
The disease first appeared as a finch epidemic in 2005 and remains a significant factor in population decline. It poses no risk to humans.
Tim added: “Just one infected bird can turn a busy feeder into a disease hotspot.”
Trichomonosis has been responsible for a 65% drop in UK Greenfinch numbers over the past three decades. However, Tim emphasised that there are numerous other ways to help birds in your local area while still encouraging them to visit your garden.
The summer months present the highest risk of disease transmission, yet natural food sources are plentiful for these birds during this period. But this doesn’t mean you should stop feeding birds entirely.
Tim said: “So, why not put the money you would have spent on seeds and peanuts into creating more natural food sources for the birds in your garden – such as planting wildflowers to encourage insects and allow them to set seed in the autumn, or creating a pond which will attract birds to drink and bathe in it as well.”
He added: “One of the easiest things you can do is let your lawn, or areas of it, grow long this summer. A patch of longer grass fills up with invertebrates faster than almost anything else you can do.”
Tim also encouraged people to let a patch of dandelions flourish in their garden, as this helps to sustain and nourish the wildlife in your outdoor spaces.
It’s also worth considering taking down bird feeders and water baths until 31st October, a simple step that can make a significant difference to the plants and animals around you.
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