Public advised not to feed garden birds due to disease threat

Stephen Maguire

The Irish public has been advised not to feed garden birds during the summer months because of the threat of disease.

The advice was issued by Birdwatch Ireland to combat the spread of a disease known as trichomoniasis.

The disease, which spreads through garden bird feeders, has already had a serious impact on Ireland's finch family.

Now Birdwatch Ireland is advising people not to feed birds during the Spring and Summer months.

A Birdwatch Ireland spokesperson said: "We know that a great many people across Ireland derive enormous pleasure from feeding the birds that visit their gardens.

"This strong desire to help the birds around our homes is truly wonderful.

"However, the increasing number of cases of a virulent disease called trichomoniasis, which can be spread via garden bird feeders and is particularly devastating to members of the finch family, gives cause for concern.

"Our survey data has shown that the impact on Ireland's Greenfinch population has been especially serious in recent years."

The organisation stressed that the disease does not pose any threat to humans.

However, it has led BirdWatch Ireland to revise its advice in relation to the feeding of garden birds.

The spokesperson added "It is clear now that the risks of feeding birds during the summer and early autumn outweigh the benefits, and our recommendation now is that feeding should be restricted to the colder months of the year.

"It is also important that careful feeder hygiene is considered a priority."