Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: Is feeding birds in your garden a bad idea?
Is feeding birds in your garden a bad idea? Thanks for asking. Leaving food out for the birds seems like a harmless and even generous idea, especially over winter when food is scarce. But research by the British Trust for Ornithology is showing that bird feeders might be doing more harm than good by spreading disease.
Between 2008 and 2018, chaffinch numbers dropped by 29% in the UK, while 67% of the country's green fringes were lost, the study reveals.
Chapter 2: How do bird feeders spread disease among birds?
How do bird feeders spread this disease? The disease, called trichomoniasis, is caused by a parasite. It's a nasty condition that makes birds' throats swell and causes them to regurgitate their food and essentially starve to death. The problem is that when they regurgitate their food along with the parasite onto a bird feeder, other birds are liable to ingest it and so the cycle continues.
How can I keep using my bird feeder safely?
Chapter 3: How can I keep using my bird feeder safely?
It is possible to carry on feeding birds in your garden, but hygiene is vital. It is recommended that you clean any baths or feeders every week with hot soapy water or a diluted bleach solution, making sure that when you return them, they're thoroughly dry.
It's also advised to only leave out enough food for a few days at a time and remove any uneaten food after a couple of days, including any food that might have fallen to the ground. It's also a good idea to move the feeder around the garden so that different birds can feed. Drinking water should also be changed daily.
Chapter 4: What alternatives are there to feeding birds in my garden?
And if you see a sick bird in your garden, stop feeding completely so that birds will stop gathering and spreading the disease. Are there other ways to support bird life in your garden? You'll be pleased to find out that there are lots of alternatives to bird feeders. Installing a pond in your garden is a great way to attract insects that birds feed on.
Likewise, fruit-bearing plants are great in summer while plants that produce berries are often a good source of food, especially in winter.
Chapter 5: How can I create a bird-friendly environment without feeders?
And don't be too fussy about weeds. Nettles and thistles attract insects and are therefore great for our feathered friends. Even the humble dandelion can be a snack to a goldfinch. Likewise, edible plants like herbs or kale attract insects and caterpillars who enjoy them as much as we do and in turn provide a great meal for birds.
You're building up an entire food web rather than buying a solution that benefits a few species, says Alex Lees, a researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University. So there you have it.
Now you know if feeding birds in your garden is a bad idea. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you really will know for sure.