No. The important question is not simply whether we feed birds, but how we manage the whole feeding environment.

Gardens can provide useful food, water and shelter within a changing landscape. Together, they can also act as stepping stones between wider habitats.

Clean food, good hygiene, sensible quantities and regular observation can help reduce avoidable risks.

Feeding can be managed responsibly when good hygiene and careful observation are part of the routine.

Most risks linked to bird feeding come down to hygiene and build-up, not feeding itself. Fresh food, regular cleaning and avoiding waste can make a significant difference.

The goal is not to stop feeding birds. It is to feed them responsibly.

Birds rely on our gardens more than ever. Habitat loss, changes in farming and climate pressures mean natural food sources are not always enough.

Gardens are no longer just places where we enjoy wildlife. They have become part of a wider wildlife network, linking fragmented habitats across towns, cities and the countryside.

Feeding is not about replacing nature. It is about helping birds in the places where people and nature now meet.

Many garden birds can benefit from extra food, especially in colder months when natural supplies are less reliable.

Species such as tits, finches, sparrows, robins and woodpeckers may visit feeding areas, although the birds you see will depend on your location, habitat, season and the food offered.

Different species favour different foods, which is why offering variety and feeding responsibly can make such a difference.

At Haith’s, the health and wellbeing of birds remain our top priority. Following the precautionary approach first outlined by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in January 2025 regarding the potential risks linked to bird tables and window feeders, we took the decision to remove bird tables from sale.

This remains our current position while ongoing research continues into the role feeding environments may play in the spread of disease among wild birds. We continue to monitor developments closely, supported by guidance from our veterinary advisor and the latest available evidence.

In the meantime, we encourage bird enthusiasts to consider alternative feeding methods, such as hanging feeders or ground feeding when done responsibly.

Whatever feeding method you choose, good hygiene is essential. Regularly cleaning feeders and feeding areas, and only offering fresh, clean bird food, can make a significant difference in helping to protect garden birds.

If you notice a sick bird around your feeding area, it is sensible to pause feeding straight away and clean feeders, bird baths and nearby surfaces thoroughly.

Remove old food, empty water containers and give the area time to clear before starting again. Good hygiene and a temporary pause can help reduce avoidable risks.

Flat feeding surfaces can allow damp food, droppings and waste to build up more easily if they are not managed carefully.

That is why many bird lovers are rethinking how they feed and placing more emphasis on cleaner, fresher feeding methods that reduce avoidable build-up.

The principle is simple: the lower the build-up, the lower the avoidable risk.

The safest approach is to offer clean, fresh, high-quality bird food suited to the species visiting your garden.

High-energy seed mixes, premium wild bird food mixes, no mess mixes, sunflower hearts and seeds, peanuts in appropriate feeders, suet products, mealworms, niger seed, straight seeds and specialist softfoods are all useful options when used responsibly.

Freshness, quality and good feeding habits matter just as much as the food itself.

Ground-feeding can suit species that naturally forage at low level, but the feeding area needs careful management.

• Rotate feeding spots to prevent the build-up of droppings and uneaten food
• Provide clean, high-quality food suited to ground-feeding birds
• Feed little and often, offering only what birds will eat in a day
• Clear debris daily and clean the area regularly

Ground-feeding birds enjoy:

• High-energy bird food blends
• Suet pellets
• Mealworms
• Specialist softfoods

Avoid kitchen scraps, mouldy seeds and stale bread, as these can be harmful to birds.

Regular cleaning is one of the most important parts of responsible bird feeding.

Feeders should be checked often, old food and debris should be removed before refilling, and bird baths should be kept clean with fresh water.

Good hygiene helps protect birds and supports safer feeding habits all year round.

It is usually better to feed little and often rather than leaving large amounts of food sitting for long periods.

This helps keep food fresher, reduces waste and lowers the chance of build-up in feeding areas.

You can encourage birds to forage more naturally by:

• Planting bird-friendly plants that produce seeds and berries
• Leaving leaf litter to attract insects for ground-foraging species
• Hiding food in natural features like tree crevices or amongst rocks

Support wild birds by:

• Planting native shrubs and trees that produce natural food sources
• Providing water for drinking and bathing
• Leaving areas of your garden undisturbed to encourage insects and other natural food sources

A well-designed feeder should be easy to dismantle and clean, with no sharp edges or obvious places where damp food and debris can collect. Its safety also depends on how regularly it is checked and maintained.

Bird food is produced and stored for animal feeding, not human consumption, so it should be left for the birds. Keep pets away from bird food too, as some ingredients, including raisins and sultanas, can be harmful to dogs.

Bread offers very little in the way of nutrition to birds and it is best left in the bread bin as far as birds are concerned. Birds may consume bread, but a diet rich in bread may soon create vitamin deficiencies, so it is best to avoid putting it out for them.

Not really. Although our crop usually comes from human consumption crops, they are not stored in human consumption surroundings.

Good ones are, yes. However, some of the cheapest may include items unsuitable for consumption. It is best to check the ingredients with the supplier.

Yes. In a world of shrinking habitats and growing environmental pressure, feeding birds properly can play a meaningful role in supporting wildlife.

Across Britain, gardens can form a valuable network for wildlife, supported by people who care.

That is a common question when a new face turns up at the bird feeding station. Some garden birds are easy to cater to; Robins will do almost anything for mealworms, for example. Goldfinches worship Niger seed, but may readily consume sunflower hearts. The key is to experiment or use our A to Z guide as we are constantly updating it.

There is no single best food for every bird or garden. Start with a clean, good-quality mix suited to the species visiting you, then observe what is eaten and adjust the amount and variety. Haith’s has focused on cleaner bird food since Ted Haith began developing his seed-cleaning approach in 1937.

Purpose-made bird food is generally the simplest option. Small amounts of suitable fresh fruit may be offered, but avoid salty, mouldy or spoiled food. Raisins and sultanas can be toxic to dogs, so do not use them where pets may gain access.

Ingredients vary by recipe. Common examples include sunflower hearts, black sunflower seed, millet, wheat, niger seed, safflower and linseed. A good mix should suit the birds you want to feed and should be offered in quantities likely to be eaten while fresh.

Easy. Take over 80 years of experience and blend some of the finest, cleanest bird seeds together and that is how you make great bird food. If you want to make your own mixes, however, start by selecting some of the most common seeds and blending them together.

Yes, bird food can get wet when subject to the elements and could rot or go mouldy if left in the feeder for a number of days, which is not desirable for birds and stops feeders from flowing seed freely to the feeding ports. To prevent this from happening, we recommend checking your feeder regularly to ensure seed is free-flowing. Additionally, a Rainguard can be attached to most feeders which acts as an umbrella, of sorts, to help prevent seed from becoming too damp.

We would advise not to replace your chicken’s regular feed with bird food. It is fine to let them scratch around under your bird feeders to pick up fallen seed, but it should only be as a supplement. Haith’s Poultry Corn is a more suitable daily feed and is a good staple mixture containing barley and wheat.

Squirrels do not tend to like Niger Seed, Millet and Safflower. You could try mixing these three together to deter them or alternatively try a mix of their own like our Squirrel Mix.

Keeping bird food clean, dry and away from rodents can certainly be a challenge. We always advise, where possible, to store your seed in a cool dry place, preferably in an air-tight container.

A Bird Food Tray can be attached to the bottom of a feeder to offer extra space and comfort for perching and feeding. They also provide a practical way to catch discarded seed to keep your lawn or patio tidy. Trays come in different sizes and we would recommend that you check it will be compatible with your feeder before purchase. Our helpful customer service team are on hand if you have any questions.

Robins are insectivorous birds and love to eat Mealworms. Some customers are lucky enough to attract tame Robins and are able to hand feed mealworms to their feathered friends. Softfoods are also a popular choice and can be scattered onto the ground or on a bird table. We have a variety of softfoods available including our specially formulated Fat Robin Mix.

Yes. Haith’s offers wheat-free bird food for customers who prefer a mix without wheat. Check the individual product description for its full composition and feeding information.

Yes, Black Sunflower Seeds can be fed to the wild birds and are a great addition to their diet. Our Black Sunflower Seeds come with their husks on which encourages natural foraging. Black Sunflower Seeds are packed with protein and oils and are very adaptable as they can be fed on a bird table, on the ground or in a seed feeder.

We can guarantee the freshness of your bird food for up to 6 months (3 to 4 months for softfoods) from the date of ordering. We also recommend that you store your bird food in a cool dry environment within a sealed container.

Do not allow dogs to eat bird food. Some recipes contain raisins or sultanas, which can be toxic to dogs. If your dog may have eaten either, contact a veterinary professional promptly. Choose a recipe without dried fruit if a dog can access the feeding area.

Birds favour different foods at different times of the year. In summer, soft live foods are favoured by, for example, Blue and Great Tits, and the nestlings are fed nothing else. You can help enormously by providing mealworms. However, the same species have to change their diets in winter, when insects are not available. The tits switch to berries, nuts and seeds. Mealworms and soft foods will be even more welcome then, along with the traditional peanuts and fats. High-energy Niger seeds are also very popular, especially with the small finches. Take a look at Haith’s bird foods and you will soon see that varying the bird diet is beneficial to birds.

Watch the birds visiting your garden. Different species feed in different ways, so choose suitable feeders or managed feeding areas and keep every location clean.

Think globally, act locally. A catch phrase invented by Friends of the Earth some years ago, but still a pretty good motto. Be honest, thinking globally can be both daunting and depressing. Acting locally is effective and satisfying. So what exactly can you do to help wildlife and conservation?

• In your own garden: feed the birds, encourage other wildlife. Grow organically and do not use chemicals.
• In your neighbourhood: if you become aware of threats to local wild places, protest to local government. Get together with other people who feel as you do.
• Join in voluntary activities, such as neighbourhood litter clear-ups, improving communal green spaces, or helping local nature reserves.
• Join your county Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, or other conservation organisations. Volunteer to help them. Go on outings and field trips.
• Buy organic foods, and products which contribute to conservation.
• Learn more about the wildlife in your garden, or further afield, and get out and enjoy it.

Choose practical actions that fit your garden and routine. Small, consistent improvements still matter.

The first thing to stress is that if you have bats roosting in your loft, you should be honoured and flattered. It is a sign of a clean roof space. Otherwise, I do not think you can actually entice them in, and in any case you may not know they are there. Especially if they are the diminutive Pipistrelles, which can literally slip under the tiles. You cannot hear the actual calls of bats, but you can by translating them into sounds using a bat detector. You are most likely to see bats over your garden if you have a decent-sized pond that attracts lots of flies at dusk. You can also put up bat boxes, which look like bird boxes without an entrance hole. They have a narrow slot instead.

Butterflies love, and indeed need, quite a lot of the things gardeners hate. Several species only lay their eggs on nettles, whilst others favour Ivy. So do not tidy up too much. Buddleia is known as the butterfly bush. Also cultivate an area of native British wildflowers, especially some of the chalk land species such as Knapweed, Scabious and Bird's Foot Trefoil.

A matter of getting lucky. Or unlucky, if you are kept awake by the blood-curdling noises foxes make. Urban foxes are getting bolder. Last year, I had one refuse to move from its sleeping place by my back door, whilst another would not leave the garden until he'd eaten a whole brood of newly fledged Blackbirds. Sad, but he was ever so handsome.

First rule: no chemicals on the garden. Slugs and snails eat the poison. Hedgehogs eat the slugs and snails. They are natural pest control, so encourage them by leaving a few cosy log piles and old leaves where they may hibernate, or a specially designed Hedgehog home. Contrary to popular belief, cow's milk is not good for them. They would prefer a dish of dog food or suitable hedgehog food.

Arguably the nation's favourite animal, but you are unlikely to get them south of Northumberland and the Lake District, whilst in Scotland the Reds are the only squirrels. It would have to be a very big garden with equally big trees to suit a Red Squirrel. However, they will come to specially designed feeders, where they are partial to nuts and seeds.

If you feed the birds, Grey Squirrels are probably the bane of your life. They will not only nick all the food, they will probably destroy expensive feeders, many of which may claim to be squirrel proof. Very few are. Personally, I try to satiate them by giving them their very own peanuts in a squirrel feeder. But it is never enough.

A friend of mine designed and then built a homemade bird table. He was very proud of it, especially when it was almost immediately visited by birds. Unfortunately, it was soon also invaded by Grey Squirrels. He immediately resolved to invent a deterrent. He started by simply moving the table further from his hedgerow. No good. Squirrels can leap a very long way. Then he tried fixing a sort of circular baffle under the table. The squirrels fell off a few times, but soon clambered over it, and then chewed it to bits. Next came the greasy pole experiment. This worked for a while, and it was fun watching the squirrels sliding back to the ground. However, it was not long before the grease rubbed off onto the squirrel's fur, which meant they could get a grip, as it were. Next, he fitted a length of piping over the pole, under the table, suspended on springs. He figured that the squirrels might be able to scramble over it, but at least he would have the satisfaction of seeing the pipe spring back and whack them on their backsides. The last I heard, the squirrels had stretched the springs so far that they did not spring any more. They had eaten all the bird food, and my friend decided to build a new hi-fi cabinet instead.

So, are any of these squirrel proof feeders really squirrel proof? Well, I have tried them all, and so have my garden Greys. I would say that most of them work, most of the time, but there is no denying the squirrels' ingenuity or tenacity, and you almost have to admire them for it. One thing you do have to accept is that many of these contraptions look more like flying saucers, space rockets or pieces of modern sculpture than bird feeders. I cannot say they exactly blend in with the concept of an old-fashioned rustic garden. But if you do have a squirrel problem, you really have to try them. It is no coincidence, by the way, that many of the most successful designs come from America, which is of course where Grey Squirrels actually belong.

Predation is a natural part of wildlife ecology, although domestic cats and introduced mammals can add pressure in gardens. Songbird population changes rarely have one simple cause. Habitat, food availability, weather, disease and human activity can all play a part.

Position feeding areas where birds have a clear view and nearby cover, but where predators cannot easily hide. If you own a cat, consider measures that reduce opportunities to hunt, particularly when birds are most active.

As well as the traditional nest boxes, used mainly by Blue and Great Tits, you can provide custom built homes for several other species. Open boxes for Robins and Spotted Flycatchers. Larger hole boxes for Starlings, Nuthatches and so on. Owl boxes and artificial House Martin nests. And perhaps most welcome of all, House Sparrow boxes. No one really knows why House Sparrows have declined so much in our cities but certainly lack of holes and crevices in modern buildings does not help. Sparrow boxes might. Do not forget though to leave or even create natural nesting places. Leave lots of Ivy. Do not thin out the bushier trees. Do not demolish that old wall or dilapidated shed. They are all potential nest sites.