Lucy Taylor, a bird expert at Vine House Farm, said: "Scattering bird food such as sunflower hearts on larger flat areas like decking, patios, driveways, or short-cut lawns is a good alternative to bird tables and ground trays.".
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has stopped selling flat bird tables and related products due to concerns that they may contribute to the spread of deadly diseases among finches.
To further reduce the risk, bird feeders should be rotated frequently, and any food on the ground should be cleared to avoid birds consuming contaminated leftovers.
The decision comes from growing evidence suggesting that feeding birds from flat surfaces can increase the risk of disease transmission.
Hanging feeders have a lower risk of spreading disease compared to flat tables, but they must be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination.
