Bird feeders are an easy way to support and attract wildlife to your garden, offering seeds, nuts and fruit to songbirds throughout the year. As you might have seen on the news, however, with the ongoing outbreak of avian influenza - or bird flu - feeding stations can pose a health risk.
The current outbreak of bird flu began in 2022 and has affected domestic poultry, including chickens and turkeys, waterfowl, including ducks and swans, as well as other species of birds and mammals. Bird flu is not confined to one continent or country, largely because birds can move and migrate. To date, bird flu has been reported in 108 countries across five continents, including North and South America, Europe and Asia. Taking sensible and precautionary steps, therefore, is important.
