Has anyone noticed a distinct lack of Greenfinches in their garden this year? Apparently there is a disease (don't know the name) that is killing them off, that they catch from dirty bird-feeders.
If that is the case, how come other bird species aren't being affected as well??
I haven't had a Greenfinch in my (very rural) Cornish garden at all so far this year (2012).
I'd be very interested in people's comments on this one.
The disease is called Trichonomosis and affects other birds as well as Greenfinches. Some forum members have reported Collared Doves affected too.
I haven't seen it in my garden and I'm still getting Greenfinches visiting my feeders but only in small numbers. Good feeder hygiene is essential to avoid it spreading.
Regards TJ
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A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. (Chinese proverb)
Greenfinch numbers seem to be down all over the country. I know from my own experience that they are drastically down in my area of the northwest , although I did see a couple today.
I know nowt :)
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At this time of year a lot of our finches inc greenfinch go over to the continent, the same way the continental blackbirds coime over here along with the starlings, as most of the starlings we see in this country at this time of year are from trhe continent. Alan
always many sides to an argument
That's good to know Alan. Maybe things aren't quite as bad as I feared.
It is amazing how much of our birds lives are interactice with other countries, that is why it is so important to make sure other countries protect our birds as well, take malta, cyprus and parts of spain. one reason why there is a decline in our turtle doves. Alan.
Hi Ironingman - I live in Cornwall (outskirts of the city) - I've never seen a greenfinch either and I've lived here 5 yrs! I get lots of chaffinches though.
Jayne
Greenfinches is the one thing that I do have! Keep waiting for Goldfinches, etc but they are rare in my garden. I get 5-10 Greenfinches most days, so they are around.
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Hi Ironingman, I'm in Staffordshire and like Dave, I'm getting quite a few too, though I say at the moment because a couple of years back, I didn't see any for months, I was quite concerned. :-)
April & May can often be beset by the blasts of winter, when a cold wind sends temperatures falling. Since this coincides with the flowering of the Blackthorn, the cold snap is known as a 'Blackthorn Winter'.
Ta daaaa!!! I made sure my feeders were well cleaned with disinfectant, etc..., put out Soar Mill Seeds "Original" mix, and before I'd turned my back a pair of Greenfinches dived onto the feeder. Since then they've been back every day!
But this has taught me just how important it is to keep the feeders clean.
Thanks, everyone, for your comments!
Hi Welsh Lass. Am intrigued...I didn't know there was a city called Cornwall!!!