Your gardening questions answered: should I feed the birds?

Could you please help to settle an argument between my friend and I about whether it’s a good idea to feed garden birds? My friend is of the opinion that they’ll survive just fine without our help, and that feeding them only increases the risk of spreading disease. RS, Dublin

Your friend is not alone in questioning the benefits of feeding garden birds. Some experts argue that it’s interfering with the process of natural selection where only the strongest, healthiest birds are naturally capable of surviving harsh winters, with the result that wild bird populations artificially supported by human intervention are beginning to reflect that declining health and vigour. On the other hand, many argue that well-stocked garden bird feeders providing a wide range of high-quality food can play a positive role in helping to sustain and support species of garden birds under threat from the loss of their natural habitats and dwindling food resources in the wild.

The thorny subject of natural selection aside, there are also real concerns about garden bird feeders and bird tables helping to spread avian pests and diseases such as trichomonosis (a parasitic disease that finches and chaffinches are particularly susceptible to).

While expert opinion is divided on the subject, some also fear that these bird feeders and tables could potentially help the spread of bird flu or avian influenza, the disease rapidly spreading among species of Irish waterbirds and some birds of prey including gannets, guillemots, whopper swans, greylag geese and peregrine falcons with often deadly results. As winter approaches, and different species of waterbirds start to congregate together in large numbers at wetlands around the country, that rate of spread will naturally increase.

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If you come across a dead or sick wild waterbird, bird of prey or large numbers of dead crows or starlings in your garden or in the wild, the advice is not to touch them but to instead report your findings to the Department of Agriculture

At present, Birdwatch Ireland doesn’t advise Irish gardeners to stop feeding garden birds on the basis that the latter are currently deemed to be at very low risk of contracting this avian flu. But if the situation deteriorates, this advice may change. In the meantime, vigilance and a very good hygiene regime are advised.

This means emptying, and then thoroughly washing and scrubbing down bird feeders, bird tables and bird baths every one-two weeks with a veterinary disinfectant or a mild bleach solution (5 per cent). It also means regularly moving the location of these feeders, tables and baths to help prevent the natural accumulation of bird droppings on the ground. BirdWatch Ireland also recommends thoroughly washing your hands after touching any bird feeders, bird tables or bird baths.

And if you do come across a dead or sick wild waterbird, bird of prey or large numbers of dead crows or starlings in your garden or in the wild, then the advice is not to touch them but to instead report your findings immediately to the Department of Agriculture (aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report). For the same reason, if you keep ducks, geese or hens, the Department of Agriculture advises physically segregating these in such a way that they don’t come into contact with wild birds who might inadvertently pass on the virus through their droppings or saliva.