Seeing birds in our gardens is one of life’s everyday joys. Millions of us across the UK feed birds seeds, nuts and suet to support their natural diet, and to help us feel closer to nature.

But new research by the RSPB has found that feeding birds in our gardens and green spaces is increasing the spread of trichomonosis (pronounced try-coh-moh-no-sis), a parasitic disease that greenfinches, chaffinches, and other British finches are particularly vulnerable to. 

But there’s good news: there are simple changes you can make in your garden to help.

Watch this short video from the RSPB to understand how you can best help garden birds:

Quick summary of RSPB guidance

• Pause offering seeds and peanuts from 1 May to 31 Oct
• Retire bird tables and flat feeders
• Mealworms and suet are ok to offer in moderation all year
• Clean your feeders and water baths at least once a week

Feed seasonally

The research has found that the highest risk of spreading disease comes in summer and autumn. Between 1^st May and 31^st October, pause offering seeds and peanuts to prevent too many birds gathering in one place. You can put them back on the menu from November to April, when the disease risk is lower and natural food sources are harder to find.  

It’s ok to offer small amounts of mealworms, suet, and fat balls in moderation at any time of year, though these should supplement natural food sources such as berry and seed laden plants where they’re available. 

Feed safely 

Following the science means it’s time to bid a fond farewell to bird tables and other flat feeders. The RSPB’s research has shown that they create a much higher risk of spreading disease.  

It’s also very important to keep hanging feeders clean. Feeders should be cleaned atleast once a week and ideally moved to a different locations, to prevent the build-up of contaminated food beneath them. Do feed little and often to reduce leftover waste, and clear away any spilt seed or husks.

Water baths should also be cleaned weekly, and the water should be changed every day.  

If you spot a bird on your feeders that looks diseased (poorly) then you should pause feeding the birds for two weeks and thoroughly clean all feeders. This can help to stop the spread of disease.

Provide natural food 

One of the best things you can do for birds and other wildlife is create natural food sources. 

Birds have diverse tastes and need a varied diet to stay healthy throughout the year. They’ve evolved to take advantage of what’s available, including in our gardens and local green spaces.  

Insects, worms and other invertebrates are essential for most birds, especially in spring and summer when they’re raising chicks. A fat, juicy caterpillar plucked from a shrub or leaf pile makes a far better meal than anything we can put in a bird feeder. 

Through autumn and winter, many birds will seek out seeds, nuts and berries. There are plenty of plants that can provide these in gardens. Whether you’re ready to turn your whole garden wild, or just want a wild corner, there’s lots of advice available for providing more natural food. 

Finally, it's really important to not use chemicals in your garden. Although they can be tempting to use to manage unwanted plants and keep garden paving clean, they can poison your garden's soil and kill insects.