Bird feeding sites decline significantly in Finland, particularly in urban areas

Bird feeding sites in Finland have significantly declined since the 1980s, particularly in urban areas over the past four decades. This trend is also evident in rural regions, albeit at a slower pace. According to researcher Anna Haukka from the University of Helsinki, the decrease is notably pronounced in cities of Southern Finland, with fewer feeding sites remaining further north.

This information is drawn from a comprehensive study led by the University of Helsinki that combined a unique survey examining changes in bird feeding practices with long-term monitoring data. The decline in feeding sites appears to correlate with winter populations of certain bird species, such as the great tit and Eurasian blue tit, which have shown a slight decrease in winter sightings since the 2010s.

Haukka notes that the reduction in feeding locations may also impact species like the Eurasian bullfinch, yellowhammer, and great spotted woodpecker. The research team aims to further investigate the implications of feeding sites for birds, including potential influences on breeding and food availability.

Over 14,000 Finns participated in the research, revealing that urban feeding has been curtailed, particularly due to rodent issues, prompting stricter regulations by housing companies and municipalities over the years. In rural areas, challenges of maintaining feeding sites and rising costs have contributed to their decline, with health concerns among an aging population frequently cited as a reason for discontinuing feeding.

The study highlights that previously, no detailed exploration of changes in bird feeding and their causes had been conducted in Finland or globally.