Feathered mends

Winterwatch Chris Packham says cleaner ways of feeding birds may cut risk of disease

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FEEDING birds in your garden could actually harm their health, Chris Packham has warned.

Alongside the RSPB, the wildlife presenter cautioned gardeners about diseases such as trichomonosis spreading via flat bird feeders, and recommends switching to hanging ones and regular cleaning as a way to lessen the effect.

But advising people to stop feeding birds altogether may not be warranted.

Chris, 64, explained: “We know these diseases are a real problem but equally we know that by feeding the birds we are supplementing a diet which they're struggling to satisfy because of problems in the wider countryside.