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Should we feed the birds?

Read our response to the RSPB press release on bird feeding

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Many of our customers are asking ‘should we feed the birds?’ following the RSPB press release last weekend.  We are all aware of the benefits of feeding the birds but with diseases such as trichomonosis on the rise, is feeding them the right thing to do?

We thought we would share our thoughts, not from a commercial point of view, but as nature friendly farmers and bird lovers ourselves.

With the loss of natural food and habitat for birds over the past 100 years, garden bird feeding has been essential for the survival of our most loved species.  As in your gardens, here on the farm, by providing the right food and habitat, birds, insects and mammals have all thrived.

Bird feeding not only helps the birds but has an important human aspect too – bringing us closer to nature and bringing life, colour and joy into our gardens and lives.

We are advising customers to give the RSPB advice some careful consideration, to keep feeding and to feed responsibly.

When to Feed

As farmers we see birds in their natural environment every day, and can see what they eat and when.  Our concern is that if we stop supplementary feeding now, what do they eat?  There are few seeds available for them yet, few insects and no berries, and this is where your garden provides a lifeline for birds.  So our advice to you now is to keep feeding, especially over the Spring breeding months when we can help provide the extra nutrition they need for the survival of their fledglings.

In the summer months when there is plenty of natural food around, the birds will let you know if they no longer need feeding.   You will notice your seed emptying from the feeders slower, and fewer birds around.  This is a good opportunity to remove your feeders for a period of time, give them a thorough clean, and give the feeding area a rest from birds.

However please be aware, food shortages can occur at anytime of the year – as we saw with the effects of the drought last summer.  Keeping a small amount of fresh food in the garden in the summer is prudent, birds aren’t greedy so will only take what they need, and you will see if and when they need feeding.

Don’t forget water

Don’t forget water is essential for birds through the summer months, especially in times of drought. Keeping a clean water bowl or bath available to the birds will provide a lifeline to many. Just remember to keep the water fresh and keep the bowl or bath clean.

Reducing the risks

Bird feeding does not cause disease, but it does bring birds together, and when birds or any animals congregate there is a greater risk of disease spread.  This happens naturally too when birds roost and feed together.  Our job is to reduce the risk of spreading disease, which we can achieve through some simple steps:

  • Clean feeders – buy easy to clean feeders, a good cleaning brush and the right cleaner/disinfectant, clean as regularly as you can
  • Fresh food – keep the food in your feeder fresh, if it isn’t eaten remove it
  • Feeder positioning – Place feeders apart rather than in concentrated feeding areas
  • Provide water – ensure fresh clean water is always available
  • Be vigilant – look out for the disease or any outbreaks locally and stop feeding if these occur
  • Grow food for birds – grow natural food for the birds to eat all across your garden

Ask the Experts

Knowledge is key, listen to our friend and conservationist Tim Appleton OBE with his response to the press release at the weekend on Radio Leicester https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002tf9q listen from 1.22.10

Visit our friend Joel from Wild Your Garden’s YouTube video to hear his views on garden bird feeding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW_XW8VF_qM&t=181s

Enjoy the Birds

We have faith in everyone to feed responsibly, and provide birds with a lifeline over the coming months as the fledglings emerge. It’s about feeding birds thoughtfully, not stopping altogether to the detriment of many of our most loved garden birds.

Enjoy your birds, look after them and see the joy they bring.

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