A bird welfare charity has issued urgent guidance for those wishing to support British songbirds, as a heatwave is rapidly approaching. Temperatures are once again set to climb above 30°C next week, according to the Met Office, which could place some of the nation's most beloved species — such as the Song Thrush, Blackbird, Nightingale, Robin, and Wren — at considerable risk.
Disease Risks from Summer Bird Feeding
Experts warn that songbirds are already in decline across the UK, owing to habitat destruction alongside serious concerns regarding disease spreading through bird feeders. British blackbird populations have been particularly badly affected by the Usutu virus, a mosquito-borne illness. SongBird Survival has urged gardeners to ensure they provide fresh water daily to assist vulnerable songbirds. The charity advises that supplying water during the summer months, rather than bird food such as seeds, fat balls or peanuts, is the most effective way to support songbirds.
More than half of all UK songbirds are threatened or already experiencing population decline. Songbirds, including those on the UK Conservation status red list such as greenfinches and house martins, lose water at a greater rate than other birds and therefore require more frequent hydration. In recent years, feeding garden birds has become increasingly widespread, with six in ten people who have an outdoor space regularly putting out food. However, the latest scientific research has revealed that using bird feeders during summer can have unintended consequences for songbirds. Avian diseases, including Salmonella and Trichomonosis, have grown more prevalent as garden feeding has become increasingly common.
Expert Calls to Stop Summer Feeding
Susan Morgan, CEO of SongBird Survival said: "Although we recognise many people still enjoy feeding birds during the summer, we've made the difficult decision to ask bird lovers to stop. In the summer months, there are plenty of insects, berries, and seeds available, so there's no need for us to put out extra food. Research has also shown that feeding birds in summer may upset the delicate natural balance of different types of birds in your local area and may also increase the risk of disease spreading."
Dr Alexander Lees, Reader in Biodiversity at Manchester Metropolitan University added: "Feeding garden birds is a national pastime for the British and the most common opportunity for many of us to connect with nature. However, there is an increasing body of scientific evidence which links garden feeding to detrimental impacts including enhanced disease transmission and competition between species, which is contributing to steep declines in several once common species, like willow tits and greenfinches. There is an urgent need to re-evaluate guidelines on what, when, where and how much food we provide to avoid these unintended negative impacts."
Practical Advice for Gardeners
SongBird Survival recommends: put out a shallow dish of clean water for drinking and bathing (a plant saucer or bowl is ideal); don’t make your bird bath too deep - add pebbles or sticks to help smaller birds perch safely; clean the dish weekly to prevent disease; if you have fed birds routinely in the past, start by reducing the summer feeding slowly; plant flowers and shrubs that attract insects and offer seeds and fruit to birds, to give them natural food sources.
Garden designer Nicola Oakey, whose songbird-friendly garden for SongBird Survival won a Silver Gilt Medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, encourages people to take simple steps: "In my own garden, I tuck shallow saucers of water in places that have shelter from plants. This means the birds can bathe and drink with protection from predators. At this time of year, it's tempting to cut back or deadhead plants that have finished flowering for the year. Many plants have really valuable seeds or fruits, such as perennial cornflower (Centaurea) and plume thistle (Cirsium), so, I would encourage people not to pick up their secateurs too quickly. Leaving that structure in our borders, especially over autumn and winter, provides vital cover and places for birds to forage for food."
