Feeding garden birds: Guardian piece

[ConstanzeMozart]

Guardian piece on what to feed and what not to feed garden birds. It's not very clear; is it OK to scatter seeds and nuts on the ground? (among other birds I have jays in my garden and they love monkey nuts, and will hoover up seeds from the ground/shed roof too).
www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/10/rspb-bird-feeders-nuts-seeds-summer-parasitic-avian-disease

I thought seeds on ground was generally discouraged because of rodents.
the rspb website has IMO clearer instructions around how to feed birds safely

When I put birdseed on the ground I thought it was cute that a little vole came for a nibble. The next day it was a field mouse. The day after that — a huge great black rat.

More woke nonsense. Pigeons eat anything and they're doing fine. Other birds should be less fussy.

This has to a be a joke comment

RSPB also advising bird feeders not be used.

The decline of certain species is a concern. The research is scientific.

My garden birds, not to mention squirrels, clear the ground of food so fast that rodents like rats don't get a look-in

It's my birdseed and I'll feed if I want to

Not used at all? Or just in summer?
The website says, 'Pause filling your bird feeders with seeds or peanuts.' but doesn't say don't use them at all. It does say to clean them regularly and move them about.

🤣

Doesn't it say don't use tables at all (as they spread disease more) and don't use feeders in summer and autumn?
Bird lovers are being urged to take down their bird feeders between May and October to help birds such as the greenfinch, whose numbers have plummeted after the spread of trichomonosis, a parasitic disease transmitted more easily when birds cluster around feeders in the warmer months.

So the advice is (I think):

• Bird tables: never
• Small number of fat balls or mealworms: all year round
• seed/peanut bird feeders: don't use May-Oct, can use Nov-April if regularly moved and cleaned
• Water: change daily

And plant bird-friendly plants as natural food sources

I love watching the birds and will continue to feed them, but I think it's important to be aware of the problems, and take action.

Its a horrible job, but do keep the feeders really clean - properly clean and disinfect regularly. We use the special disinfectant vets use. Interestingly we have noticed more greenfinches around this year than last year, so I certainly don't want to kill them off.

If you have the space (and the time) then try and grow as many food plants as you can, especially as not all species will come to the bird feeders anyway.

That would make a good song title.

Will you follow the RSPB advice about not using feeders in summer months?

I think many people will refuse to follow the advice, and of course many won't be aware, which will mean greater decline in numbers.

We have loads of birds visiting with no feeders.

@TonTonMacoute what disinfectant do you use?

If you're not meant to use feeders in summer and autumn, or bird tables ever, how do you give mealworms and fat balls in summer and autumn?

Fat balls hanging on their own string, rather than in feeders.

Meal worms you can just put out somewhere I guess, a small number.

The RSPB won't publicly say that magpies and other corvids need controlling but do privately (they do need controlling but it's not modern day PC).

They're about as reputable and honest as the ARsePCA

The aim is not to encourage the birds to gather, and not to encourage them to return to the same place every day?

We removed our feeders due to crows, they were scary! We now get a much higher number of small birds visiting.

Unfortunately I've got a large box of loose fatballs that I had been putting in a feeder.
I guess I can put a few on the ground or shed roof.

It's typical poor journalism. It's bird tables and flat feeders.

https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/bird-feeders-boxes-tables/bird-feeders/garden-bird-tables

Shed roof will be worse - flat surfaces spread diseases more.
Can't you just save them until winter?

The advice is intended to stop birds dying from diseases.

I wouldn't personally put fat balls on the ground or a roof as rats will be interested.

Oh, that is not what that Guardian article suggested! Thank you.

I was a bit miffed as literally 2 days ago I put up a bunch of hanging feeders and was thinking I would have to take them down now.

I will remove them at the end of the month though and just leave the fat balls.

I wouldn't, that really will attract rats! Hang your fat balls from trees/bushes or a pole.

I switched to peanut niblets and peanuts a few months back and also bought some sunflower seeds.

I ditched the fat balls and suet pellets as I saw a huge rat hanging from one of the feeders in the tree.

I'll carry on with what I have at the moment, I only bought a new supply on Wednesday.