Like many of you, we’ve seen the headlines following recent guidance from the RSPB suggesting we rethink feeding seed and peanuts between May and October.
And honestly… it doesn’t sit right.
We’re not scientists.
We’re not the RSPB.
But we are a working British farm that’s spent over 30 years feeding birds, growing bird food, and watching what actually happens in real life.
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It’s Not the Food — It’s the Way It’s Done
Disease like trichomonosis is real.
But it isn’t caused by seed or peanuts.
It’s caused by:
Dirty feeders
Damp, mouldy food
Food left to rot
Too many birds in one place
So the issue isn’t feeding birds.
It’s feeding birds badly.
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What We See on the Farm
Birds still rely on supplementary feeding during the breeding season:
House sparrows
Blue tits
Great tits
Robins
Blackbirds
Because natural food simply isn’t what it used to be.
Less insect life.
Less seed.
More pressure on habitat.
Taking food away at a critical time doesn’t feel like the right answer.
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The Bit No One’s Talking About
If lots of people stop feeding…
Birds don’t disappear.
They pile into the gardens that still are feeding.
More crowding.
More competition.
Potentially more disease.
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The Headline Problem
This is where it’s gone wrong.
Nuanced advice has turned into:
“Stop feeding birds in summer.”
That’s not helpful.
People follow headlines — not footnotes.
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A Bit of Balance
We respect the work of the RSPB.
But we also agree with the British Trust for Ornithology:
“There is no single formula – every garden is different… feeding well means observing, adapting and responding.”
That is real life.
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Let’s Be Honest
YES — we sell bird food.
We also sell:
Suet
Live mealworms (recommended in summer)
We don’t mind what you feed.
We just care that it’s done properly.
And we’re proud to be growing 35 acres of bird food on our farm this year.
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And People Matter Too
For many people, feeding birds is part of daily life.
Routine.
Connection.
Joy.
Especially for older customers who care deeply and do it properly.
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So What Should You Do?
Keep feeding — just do it well.
Clean feeders regularly
Move them around
Don’t overfill
Clear up waste
Clean like this:
Scrub with detergent
Disinfect with 5% bleach
Rinse well
Dry fully before refilling
Simple.
👉 Read our full feeder cleaning guide here
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Our Position
We will continue to:
Feed birds
Grow bird food
Encourage responsible feeding
Because:
It’s not feeding birds that’s the problem.
It’s feeding them badly.
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Final Thought
Let’s not undo years of good work because of over-simplified headlines.
Feed birds.
Look after your feeders.
Use common sense.
Because the real risk?
People stopping altogether.
