Help garden birds – Feed Seasonally, Feed Safely

We all want to help birds and make our gardens or outdoor spaces a place where all wildlife can thrive. But some species, such as Greenfinches, are experiencing serious declines because of disease.

The good news is that by following advice from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) we can help reduce the spread of disease by making two simple changes to the way we feed our birds.

1) Feed seasonally

During summer and autumn, there’s a higher risk of disease spreading. But it’s also when there are more natural foods available to birds, such as seeds and insects. So from 1 May to 31 October pause filling your bird feeders with seeds or peanuts. You can continue to offer small amounts of mealworms, fatballs or suet.

2) Feed safely

Busy bird feeders can become hotspots for disease. To help keep birds healthy, it’s vital to keep things clean – which is why we’ve strengthened our existing hygiene guidance.

Read the full article and guidance at on the RSPB Website here.