RSPB England Issues New Seasonal Guidance on Garden Bird Feeding to Prevent Disease Spread.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has issued new guidance urging the public to adopt seasonal bird feeding practices to help protect vulnerable garden bird populations from disease. The charity is advising households across England to pause routine bird feeding between May 1st and October 31st, citing increased risks of disease transmission during warmer months, when feeders can become contamination hotspots.
Rising Concern Over Bird Disease. The recommendation follows growing concern over trichomonosis, a parasitic disease that affects birds’ mouths, throats, and digestive systems, often making it difficult for them to eat or breathe. The disease spreads through contaminated food and water sources and has been linked to significant declines in several species. Among the most affected is the greenfinch, whose population has dropped by an estimated two million birds in the UK, placing it on the conservation red list. Long-term monitoring data also shows a steep decline in sightings, with greenfinches falling from one of the most commonly recorded garden birds to much lower rankings in recent years.
Seasonal Feeding Approach Recommended. Under its new campaign “Feed seasonally, feed safely”, the RSPB is encouraging the public to rethink year-round feeding habits. While feeding birds can provide benefits, especially during colder months, the charity warns that concentrated feeding in summer can facilitate the spread of disease. Limited feeding may still be appropriate if done carefully. The RSPB advises offering only small quantities of food, such as mealworms or fat-based products, sufficient for one or two days at most.
Hygiene Measures Essential.
To reduce risks, the RSPB recommends:
Cleaning bird feeders at least once a week.
Regularly changing feeder locations to prevent waste buildup.
Providing fresh tap water daily if offering water.
Cleaning bird baths weekly.
Avoiding flat surface feeders, such as traditional bird tables, where contamination can accumulate more easily
The organisation has already begun phasing out flat feeders from its own product range.
Widespread Public Impact. Bird feeding is a popular activity in England, with millions of households participating regularly and significant annual spending on bird food. The RSPB acknowledges that changing established habits may be challenging but stresses the importance of protecting bird populations. The guidance has been developed in collaboration with scientific partners and is based on an extensive review of available evidence. While some industry groups have raised concerns about the changes, the RSPB maintains that precautionary action is necessary.
Supporting Birds Responsibly. The RSPB emphasises that feeding birds can still play a positive role when done responsibly. However, it warns that continuing current practices without adjustment could contribute to further population declines.
“We cannot continue as usual,” the charity stated, highlighting the need for collective action to safeguard garden birds for the future.
Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Sean, her parents Hannah and Michael, her brothers Jack and Michael and her sister Maureen; Mrs Healy passed away peacefully at her place of ordinary residence, on 8th April 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Her passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughter Miriam, sons Seamus, Derek, Paul, John and Damien, son-in-law Jim, daughters in law Michelle, Ann-Marie, Helen, Katrina and Niamh, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, adored grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, kind neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs Healy, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online,HERE.
The extended Healy and Gilmartin families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: House strictly private on Sunday morning.
FSAI recall specific batches of Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert due to the possible presence of plastic pieces.
Alert Summary dated Thursday, April 9th 2026.
Category 1: For Action. Alert Notification: 2026.13. Product Identification: Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert; pack size – 538g. Batch Code: All best before date codes up to and including April 2027. Country Of Origin: United Kingdom.
Message: The above batches of Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert are being recalled due to the possible presence of small pieces of clear plastic from the packaging. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale in Tesco stores.
Action Required: Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.
Recall of a batch of Pettitt’s Cook at Home Basil & Pesto Chicken Fillets due to the presence of Salmonella.
Alert Summary dated Thursday, April 9th 2026.
Category 1: For Action. Alert Notification: 2026.12. Product Identification: Pettitt’s Cook at Home Basil & Pesto Chicken Fillets; pack size: 380g. Batch Code Use by: 30/03/2026. Country Of Origin: Ireland.
Message: The above batch of Pettitt’s Cook at Home Basil & Pesto Chicken Fillets is being recalled due to the presence of Salmonella. Although the implicated batch is past its use by date, the product is suitable for home freezing. Consumers are therefore advised to check their freezers for the implicated batch. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.
Nature Of Danger:
People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
Action Required: Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.
Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions from power generation and industry down by 5.5 per cent in 2025.
In 2025, greenhouse gas emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) decreased by 5.5 per cent.
Emissions decreased by 8.9 per cent from the electricity generation sector driven by cessation of coal use at Moneypoint, an increase in renewables and increased importation of electricity.
Manufacturing industry emissions decreased by 2.5 per cent driven by a variety of factors including the use of alternative lower carbon fuels and a decrease in clinker production in the cement sector.
In contrast, greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, reported to Ireland, increased by just under 2 per cent compared to 2024, which reflects continued growth in this sector.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today released its preliminary analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). In 2025, emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies decreased by 5.5 per cent (over 620,000 tonnes) to 10.67 million tonnes of CO2. This compares with a decrease of approximately 6.9 per cent across Europe, according to data released by the EU Commission.
The decrease in emissions from Ireland’s power generation and industry sectors in 2025 was driven by a combination of factors.
Power generation: The use of coal at ESB Moneypoint ceased in June 2025 which has led to a 49 per cent reduction in emissions from this station. On a national basis, there was a slight increase in renewable electricity (up by 1 per cent as a percentage of demand) and an increase in net imports of electricity from 14 per cent to 17 per cent as a percentage of demand.
Cement industries: There was a 3.6% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from cement industries due to both a drop in production of cement clinker (a key component of cement) and an increase in alternative fuel use as the demand for less carbon intensive construction products has increased.
Commenting today, Dr Eimear Cotter, EPA Director General, said: “The reduction in emissions from power generation and industrial activities covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) indicates progress in Ireland’s shift toward cleaner energy and more sustainable manufacturing. Since the establishment of EU ETS in 2005, there has been a decrease in emissions of over 52 per cent for the relevant sectors in Ireland which highlights the importance of this policy tool in driving decarbonisation.”
Aviation: Emissions from flights within the European Economic Area reported to Ireland increased by almost 2 per cent compared to 2024, to over 13.4 million tonnes. This is now well above the pre-pandemic levels of 12.8 million tonnes and reflects the ongoing growth of traffic in this sector. The use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) has increased since 2024 but there is scope for further uptake of these fuels.
Dr Maria Martin, EPA Senior Manager, said: “There is a continued need for all sectors included in the EU ETS to play their part. While power generation and industry both recorded reductions in emissions, the dairy processing industries increased their emissions in 2025 suggesting that more work needs to be done to decouple growth in this sector from carbon emissions.”
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