Could you be doing more harm than good?

It feels like one of those small things you can do to improve the world a tiny bit. And often, it is. But the latest Big Garden Birdwatch results suggest it is time to rethink a few habits. So what is best to feed the birds – and what should you avoid?

More than 650,000 people took part this year, counting over nine million birds across the UK. The usual favourites still dominate, with House Sparrows, Blue Tits and Starlings topping the list.

What matters more sits further down the rankings. Greenfinches, once a common sight, have seen a steep decline, in no small part driven by disease spreading at feeding sites.

The message is not to stop feeding birds altogether. It is to be more considered about what you offer, and when. In practice, that means letting go of a few long-standing routines.

Stop feeding seed and peanuts in summer

From 1 May to 31 October, the advice is to pause filling feeders with seed and peanuts, as warmer conditions make it easier for disease to spread when birds gather closely together.

It can feel counterintuitive, especially when gardens are full of activity, but this is also the time of year when natural food sources are more abundant. Birds are not relying on feeders in the same way, and reducing that central point of contact lowers the risk of infection.

If you still want to support them, smaller amounts of mealworms, fat balls, or suet are fine, but the emphasis should shift towards letting birds forage naturally.

Stop using bird tables and flat feeders

Bird tables have a certain charm, but they are not particularly helpful from a health perspective. Flat surfaces allow food to sit and become contaminated, especially when mixed with droppings, and that creates an easy route for disease to pass between birds.

Moving away from these setups is one of the simplest changes you can make. Hanging feeders, cleaned regularly and kept moving around the garden, reduce the chance of food building up and lingering in the same place.

Read more: How to throw the best garden party

Stop topping up dirty feeders

It is easy to keep adding fresh food without thinking about what is already there, but that habit can quickly turn a feeder into a problem area. Once contamination is introduced, simply topping it up does not solve anything.

Cleaning feeders at least once a week makes a noticeable difference, especially if you also move them to a new position each time. That helps prevent waste and debris building up underneath, which is another source of infection.

It takes a bit more effort, but it is the kind of effort that actually supports birds’ health.

Stop leaving water standing

Water is just as important as food, but it needs to be managed properly. If it is left standing, it quickly becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, particularly in warmer weather.

Changing water daily keeps it safe and useful, and cleaning bird baths weekly helps avoid a build-up of contamination. If that is not something you can keep on top of, it is better not to leave water out at all.

The intention may be good, but stale water does more harm than good.

Stop relying on feeders alone

Perhaps the biggest shift is to think beyond feeders altogether. Relying on them too heavily creates the conditions where birds cluster together, which is exactly what allows disease to spread.

A more balanced approach is to make your garden part of the solution. Planting sunflowers, teasels and ivy provides natural food sources and encourages insects, which in turn supports birds without forcing them into close contact.

It is less immediate than filling a feeder, but it is far closer to how birds would naturally find food.

A better way to feed birds

The aim is not to stop feeding birds, but to do it in a way that protects their long-term health.

That means making a few thoughtful changes.

• Hold back on peanuts and seeds in summer
• Move away from flat bird tables
• Keep feeders clean and fresh, and
• Allow your garden to do more of the work.

None of it is complicated, but it does require a shift in mindset. The question is no longer just whether you are feeding birds, but whether you are feeding them well.

Find out more at the RSPB