For a few years now, viewers have loved watching our bird feeder live stream. Seeing the tits, woodpeckers and finches undisturbed and up close.

Feeding birds in our gardens is something many of us do across Devon and it’s a great way to make us feel closer to nature.

However, to help protect our birds from disease and follow best practice, we have temporarily removed our feeders and webcam. They will be back later in the year when colder weather conditions return.

A recent study by RSPB and others found that during spring and summer natural food sources for birds become more plentiful, reducing the need for supplementary feeding. Additionally, that the risk of disease increases during spring and summer, particularly when birds gather closely around feeders. 

The disease called trichomonosis has caused serious declines in Greenfinch and Chaffinch populations and may now be causing a rapid decline amongst Bullfinches. Supplementary feeding concentrates birds around feeders and water baths, where sick birds regurgitate contaminated food and water, which is then accessible to healthy birds and results in the spread of disease.

The new guidance asks people who feed birds to: Feed seasonally, feed safely.

Feed seasonally - From 1 May to 31 October: Pause filling your bird feeders with seeds and peanuts to prevent too many birds gathering in one place. It’s okay to keep offering small amounts of mealworms, fat balls, or suet year-round.

Feed safely - Prioritise hygiene by cleaning feeders weekly, changing water daily and removing flat-surfaced feeders – including bird tables.

As well as adjusting the way we all feed our garden birds, there are plenty of other things we can do to support birds and help them find their own food. You could consider bird-friendly planting – such as sunflowers, teasels and ivy – which helps to provide natural, safer food sources and encourages insects. For inspiration, see our actions that you can take at home.