Professor John E. Cooper: Avian flu - How sensible bird feeding sets a good example and remains beneficial for birds and people

Because we're a trusted bird food company on a mission to discover the bigger picture, we have a self-imposed responsibility to learn more about the 2022 Avian flu activity here in the UK.

We can think of no one better equipped to talk to about avian flu and the latest guidance from the Government regarding feeding wild (free-living) garden birds than our veterinary advisor, Professor John E Cooper DTVM, FRCPath, FSB, CBiol, FRCVS. Professor Cooper's guidance will be comforting to those of us who care deeply about feeding and watching garden wildlife:

You can listen to the podcast here: 

Or search for Naturespace with Haith's wherever you get your podcasts, including: https://anchor.fm/haiths , Spotify . 

There are three main reasons to keep feeding wild (free-living) birds during the current outbreak of avian flu:

1. It's good for garden birds & good for people - research shows that feeding supplementary bird food increases the fitness of birds, and feeding / watching wildlife is good for our well-being and mental health.
2. Feeding garden birds is not illegal during avian flu and - as long as it's carried out 'sensibly' and 'sensitively' (listen to the podcast for definitions of those terms) - it is safe and beneficial (for birds and people) to do so.
3. Stopping feeding garden birds could actually be counter-productive and Professor Cooper explains why removing bird foods could arguably force birds to go in search further afield for food - which could bring more species and different numbers of birds to food sources and potentially aid the spread of avian flu (please listen to the podcast for a more helpful explanation). Haith advises regularly cleaning feeders, baths, stations & tables to keep bacteria and viruses at bay.

Show notes - useful links: 

• The Canadian one is helpful: Responsible Bird Feeding during HPAI - The Birdhouse Nature Store

• GOV.UK - Avian influenza (bird flu)

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-in-wild-birds

• https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1115048/ai-findings-week-2022-43.csv/preview

• https://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/diseases/avianflu.htm

• HPAI in UK Seabirds | JNCC - Adviser to Government on Nature Conservation

• Approved list of biological agents (PDF)

• Avian Influenza Updates - The RSPB

• https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/influenza-a-virus-subtypes.htm Avian Influenza – OIE – World Organisation for Animal Healthexternal icon.

• Why unprecedented bird flu outbreaks sweeping the world are concerning scientists (nature.com) 

• nature.com (https://zsl.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=77a230a802374ef9529b9c5e7&id=c84db711c0&e=b20ec64bb4)