Take down bird feeders this summer to cut spread of avian disease, says RSPB | Birds

Garden birds should not be fed seeds and nuts during the summer months to reduce the spread of bird diseases, the RSPB said.

Bird lovers are encouraged to remove bird feeders between May and October to help birds such as the greenfinch, whose numbers are declining following the spread of trichomoniasis, a parasitic disease that spreads more easily when birds gather around feeders in the warmer months.

In the new guidance, the RSPB advises people to “eat safely and seasonally” by removing all bird feeders filled with seeds and nuts from 1 May to 31 October, instead offering small amounts of protein such as mealworms, fat balls or suet, as they do not tend to attract flocks of finches and protein is useful for birds to feed their chicks.

This follows results from this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch, the world’s largest garden survey with 650,000 participants, which placed the greenfinch 18th overall. The species, which is currently on the red list of endangered British birds, has recorded a 67% decline in average numbers since the start of the annual Big Garden Birdwatch survey in 1979.

It is estimated that approximately 6 million green finches and finches have died due to disease in recent years.

“Feeding birds is something millions of us love and value, but science shows us that birds such as the greenfinch are being affected by the spread of disease at feeders,” said Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB. “We’re not asking people to stop feeding, but only to feed in ways that protect the long-term health of birds. By making small changes together, we can ensure garden feeding continues to be a positive force for nature.”

A study has found that the amount of food produced by Britons We support 196 million garden birds – almost half the total number of wild birds in the British countryside – another found: Feeding birds alters local phosphorus cyclecould potentially add extra nutrients to the environment, favoring some plants over others and reducing biodiversity.

trichomoniasis It is a parasite that primarily threatens finch species and can be transmitted through liquids such as saliva in feeders. During warmer months, the parasite can survive longer, making it easier for the disease to spread.

The RSPB says people can continue to feed birds seed and feeders over the winter months, but recommends they retire all bird tables and flat surface feeders; research confirms that the risk of disease spread is higher on flat surfaces where contaminated food can be collected. It urges people to clean and move their feeders weekly and, if they provide water, to change it daily.

“The new advice is simple: eat safely and eat seasonally,” a spokesman said. “During the warmer months from May 1 to October 31, when disease can spread more easily, we recommend people stop filling bird feeders with seeds and nuts to prevent large numbers of birds congregating in one place. Small amounts of mealworms or fat balls can still be safely offered year-round.”

The RSPB also recommends bird-friendly garden planting that encourages insects, as well as sunflowers, teasels and ivy, which are natural sources of seasonal food, which are particularly important as a food source for many garden birds when they have chicks to feed.

This year the house sparrow once again took the top spot in the Great Garden Birding and the blue tit was the second most seen bird. The starling continued its revival, moving up one spot to third place. Wood pigeon and blackbird rounded out the top five.

Büyük Bahçe Birding 2026 results: top 10

1. house sparrow – average 3.57 per garden; seen in 57.1% of gardens; Since 1979 the population has decreased by 64.3%.

2. blue tit – 3.12 per garden; 78.5% of gardens; Since 1979 the population has increased by 28%.

3. Starling – 2.23 per garden; 31.4% of gardens; Since 1979 the population has decreased by 85.1%.

4. wood pigeon – 2.21 per garden; 75.2% of gardens; Since 1979 the population has increased by 1,003%.

5. Blackbird – 1.68 per garden; 71.7% of gardens; Since 1979 the population has decreased by 58.1%.

6. Great tit – 1.58 per garden; 56.1% of gardens; Population growth since 1979 is 75.2%.

7. robin – 1.50 per garden; 83.1% of gardens; Since 1979 the population has decreased by 25.2%.

8. goldfinch – 1.38 per garden; 27% of gardens; There is no long-term trend data.

9. Magpie – 1.32 per garden; 58% of gardens; Since 1979, population growth has been 228.8%.

10. long-tailed tit – 1.19 per garden; 26.2% of gardens; There is no long-term trend data.