RSPCA warns gardeners to 'stop' feeding birds common item

RSPCA warns gardeners to 'stop' feeding birds common item People should hold off on feeding them this for a while The RSPCA has urged people with a garden to "stop" feeding birds a common item - at least for now. The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is advising bird lovers to "stop putting seeds or peanuts in your bird feeders" and instead try other options. It notes that from May to October, you should: "Stop putting seeds or peanuts in your bird feeders. You can carry on offering small amounts of mealworms, fatballs or suet, as finches don’t usually eat these." RSPCA experts explain: "Finches are more vulnerable to disease, and mainly eat seeds or peanuts. So please don’t offer birds seeds or peanuts between May and October, when there’s a higher risk of disease spreading. They’re also the months when birds can find natural sources of food relatively easily." From November to April, it notes that people can feed garden birds a full range of healthy foods, including seeds and peanuts. When doing this, you should clean feeders at least once a week, making sure they are fully dry before refilling. Moving feeders around your garden can also help reduce the spread of disease. But avoid using flat-style feeders such as bird tables, as they allow birds to feed in close contact. Even with daily cleaning, these surfaces can still pose a risk because healthy birds may eat food contaminated by sick birds through regurgitation. Place your feeders: - Up high, well above cat height - Away from bushes and other areas where predators might hide - Away from cat perches, such as branches and walls - Away from places where birds roost, such as under trees, to help avoid contamination from droppings What do garden birds eat? Different birds eat a range of foods, but some should only be offered between November and April: - Bird-friendly plants (all year). You can attract birds to your garden all year round by growing a range of plants that provide natural food without spreading disease. Try planting sunflowers, teasels, ivy, and thistles, which other animals will eat and shelter in too. - Net-free fat or suet balls (all year). These attract a range of species and provide a great boost of calories. - Insects such as mealworms or waxworms (all year). - Suitable seeds and grains (November-April only) like nyjer, millet, oats, and sunflower seeds. - Unsalted peanuts (November-April only) must be fresh and of good quality, so that they don't contain aflatoxin (a poison caused by fungus mould). Young chicks might choke on whole peanuts, so always put them in feeders with a smaller mesh. - Fruit like apples, pears and soft fruits. - Food scraps like cooked pasta, rice and boiled potatoes, or mild hard cheese and uncooked and unsalted bacon rind. - Raisins and sultanas. But if you have dogs, be careful with grapes, sultanas and raisins, as they're toxic to dogs. Remember the water The RSPCA says that fresh, clean water is important for birds to drink and to keep their feathers healthy and clean. However, bird baths can spread disease if they are not cleaned regularly. Only provide water if you can change it every day using tap water, and if there is no nearby pond. Clean bird baths at least once a week, and move them around sometimes to help reduce the spread of disease. It concludes: "Ponds are a good source of water, as well as being a good habitat for other wildlife. They’re also less likely to spread disease than bird baths."