Gardeners warned to stop using bird tables amid fears of disease spread as RSPB pull them from sale
Homeowners are being advised to stop using bird tables after the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said they were concerned that they could be linked to spread of disease between the animals.
The RSPB have even suspended all sales of traditional bird feeders with immediate effect over fears they could be killing the animals.
Ornithologist Iolo Williams, Chris Packham and Winterwatch presenters at the BBC said gardeners should be thinking twice before feeding birds in their gardens this winter, urging people to 'change our minds and our habits'.
READ MORE: New DWP plans for people on PIP with back, joint, and muscle health conditions
READ MORE: Attendance Allowance set to end in 13 council areas next month
The RSPB said they are currently carrying out a safety review and have advised people to stop using them until their finding are disclosed, reports the Express.
This is because of fears the bird tables could be a culprit in spreading disease this winter, especially among finches.
The product suspension only affects flat bird tables, not upright feeders, because it is thought that flat tables could be the most risky.
In the meantime, gardeners are being urged to use upright hanging feeders instead of flat tables.
Iolo Williams, speaking on Winterwatch, said: “The RSPB are increasingly concerned that people putting food out on flat surfaces such as the floor of bird tables are actually helping the spread of diseases that affect some of our garden birds, especially finches.
“They believe that the food is left to the elements, it gets wet, it mixes with faeces, and that facilitates the spread of some of those diseases.
“They are actually so concerned that they’ve commissioned a study and they’ve also stopped selling bird tables”.
Now, gardeners are being urged to plant hedges and trees which benefit birds instead.
Co-presenter Chris Packham added: “Of course there are alternatives, you don’t have to leave food out, you can garden for wildlife.
“Plant trees and bushes which provide berries in the winter, things like rowan trees and cherry trees, which are quite small and you can grow them in relatively small gardens and they aren't going to give you any trouble.
“But listen, if the science is done, we need to change our minds and our habits, we care about our birds and that means following the best possible advice. So we’re all eager to see what that RSPB study comes up with.
In its product suspension notice, The RSPB said: “At the RSPB, the safety and welfare of birds has and always will be our priority.
“We know so many of you love feeding your garden birds and some bird species really do benefit from us putting out extra food for them, especially in winter. However, there is increasing evidence that for other birds there can also be negative effects such as the spread of disease, especially among finches.
“We want to make bird feeding as safe as possible, so we’re reviewing the advice we give you and products we sell based on the latest science.
“As a precautionary measure, whilst we await the findings of the review, we have suspended all our bird tables and related products, table mix and table mix extra, window feeders and feeder guardians with trays, from sale. This is because there is evidence to suggest that some birds, particularly finches, can be more exposed to disease when fed on flat surfaces like these.
"As the country's largest nature conservation charity we want to be transparent with our supporters and customers. We believe suspending the products until we have a better understanding of how the disease spreads is our best option to ensure the safety of birds.”
The charity is still selling upright feeders and feeding stations and gardeners are being urged to use them instead.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.
