The RSPB is urging people to change how they help garden birds, warning that feeders can become disease hotspots during the warmer months.
The charity says people should think more carefully about feeding from spring into autumn, when birds have access to more natural food and when large numbers gathering at feeders can increase the risk of infection spreading.
At the centre of the advice is concern about trichomonosis, a contagious disease that has been linked to serious declines in some familiar garden birds, especially greenfinches. The RSPB says the disease can spread where birds gather closely together, including at feeders in gardens and outdoor spaces.
The message is not to stop caring about birds, but to help them in a different way. The RSPB is now encouraging people to feed seasonally and feed safely. In practice, that means easing off during summer and autumn, keeping feeders scrupulously clean, and relying more on gardens themselves to provide food, water and shelter.
The charity says birds are better served at this time of year by gardens that attract insects, offer cover, and provide a reliable source of fresh water. A shallow bird bath or dish can be especially useful in dry weather, while hedges, shrubs and slightly wilder corners can create the conditions birds need without drawing large crowds to one feeding point.
There is also a practical warning for anyone who does keep feeding birds. Food should not be allowed to build up, feeders should be emptied of old food before refilling, and any sign of sick birds should prompt people to stop feeding straight away, clean everything thoroughly, and take feeders down for a period before trying again.
The RSPB, the UK’s largest bird conservation charity, has long encouraged people to support wildlife in their gardens, but this latest advice reflects a shift towards a more cautious approach where disease risk is concerned. It is less about doing more and more about doing it properly.
For Beverley gardeners, the guidance is a useful reminder that a bird-friendly garden is not just a garden with a feeder in it. Water, planting, shelter and a bit less tidiness can often do just as much good, and sometimes more.
Top 5 ways to help birds without overfeeding them
1. Ease off the feeding
During warmer months, birds can find more natural food for themselves. Avoid putting out more than they need and do not let old food build up.
2. Keep feeders clean
Wash feeders regularly and remove stale food before refilling. Good hygiene is one of the main ways to cut the risk of disease spreading between birds.
3. Put out fresh water
A bird bath or shallow dish gives birds somewhere to drink and wash, especially during dry or hot spells.
4. Let parts of your garden grow
A slightly wilder patch, seed heads, longer grass and insect-friendly planting all help create natural feeding space.
5. Stop if you see sick birds
If a bird looks unwell at your feeder, stop feeding altogether, clean everything thoroughly and wait before starting again.