After weeks of hot weather and successive heatwaves, forecasters say rain is on the way for parts of the UK. In its latest guidance on what and when to feed garden birds, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) warned that wet weather and rain increase the risk of trichomonosis. Trichomonosis is a fatal parasitic disease affecting garden birds spreading through damp, contaminated bird feeders.
The RSPB warned that research has shown a worrying decline in some garden birds due to trichomonosis which is highly contagious and can spread where birds gather in large numbers such as at bird feeders. Greenfinches, for example, have dropped by over 65% in the last 30 years. With wetter weather forecast across parts of the UK and as August comes to an end, anyone with a bird feeder should check that rain is not getting into the food. The RSPB is urging anyone with bird feeders in the garden to keep food as dry as possible and choose feeders that prevent rain getting in and allow excess water to drain away.
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The RSPB wrote: “Damp food allows disease to survive and spread. Choose feeders that prevent rain getting in and limit condensation.”
Old or uneaten food should also be removed rather than left to accumulate.
Busy bird feeders can become hotspots for disease. To help keep birds healthy, it’s vital to keep things clean, the RSPB warned. Those with bird feeders in their garden should also:
The scientific evidence shows that the risk of trichomonosis outbreaks is highest in summer and autumn. The RSPB is urging people to pause feeding garden birds seeds and peanuts between May 1 and October 31. You can continue to offer small amounts of mealworms, fatballs or suet.
The warning comes as the Met Office forecasts a change to more unsettled conditions across the UK.
The Met Office‘s long range forecast for the period of August 30 to September 8: “An unsettled period is likely, with showers or longer spells of rain possible across many parts of the UK.
“Some heavy rain is likely, perhaps with some thunderstorms too. Rainfall amounts will probably be above average for the time year and there is potential for some strong winds at times.
“Some drier and more settled interludes could develop at times, but these will likely be short-lived. Temperatures are likely to be near average, although some short-lived warm or very warm spells are possible, especially in the south.”
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Saturday, 29th August 2026
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