Over 240 GardenAdvice.co.uk members have reported or asked for advice on  garden birds especially greenfinches becoming sickly or dying in the gardens they own or manage.  Members should find the content below helpful as it has been produced by the RSPB and contains some helpful advice on feeding wild birds and wildbird food

Large numbers of greenfinches are dying of a disease called trichomonosis

Since summer 2005, trichomonosis, a disease caused by a microscopic parasite has been reported in finches in gardens. Since then, outbreaks have been seen every year during the late summer and autumn.

They have been studied by the Garden Bird Health Initiative, of which the RSPB is part (see below). Greenfinch populations have been recorded dropping by a third, and chaffinch populations by a fifth in those parts of the country that suffer the most serious outbreaks.

Research published in September 2011 shows that the disease has since spread to finches on continental Europe, most likely with migrating chaffinches.

Which birds are affected?

Greenfinches are reported most frequently, but other finches and house sparrows are also susceptible to trichomonosis. Formerly, it was seen in pigeons and doves and some birds of prey. This is a disease found only in birds – it does not pose a threat to the health of humans, cats or dogs.

What happens?

The trichomonad parasite lives in the upper digestive tract of the bird, and its actions progressively block the bird’s throat, making it unable to swallow food. The bird dies from starvation.

Birds with the disease show signs of general illness, for example lethargy and fluffed-up plumage, but affected birds may also drool saliva, regurgitate food, have difficulty in swallowing or show laboured breathing.

Finches are frequently seen to have matted, wet plumage around the face and beak, and uneaten food in and around the beak. In some cases, swelling of the neck may be seen from a distance.

How is it passed on?

The trichomonad parasite is vulnerable to drying out and cannot survive for long periods outside the host. Transmission of infection between birds happens when they feed one another with regurgitated food during the breeding season, and through food or drinking water contaminated with recently regurgitated saliva.

What can I do?

If trichomonosis is suspected, it is recommended to temporarily stop putting out food, and leave bird baths dry until sick or dead birds are no longer found in the garden.

This is to discourage birds from congregating together, which may increase the potential for the disease to spread between individuals.

Wild birds can suffer from a variety of diseases from time to time. Good hygiene practice, specifically the regular cleaning of all feeders, bird baths and feeding surfaces, is an essential part of looking after garden birds and will help to lower the risk to birds of diseases in general.

No effective treatment can be administered to birds in the wild, because it is impossible to ensure that the infected individuals receive an adequate dose and that healthy birds do not pick up the medicine. Also, a positive confirmation of the disease is needed prior to starting any treatment, and this can usually only be obtained by a post mortem.

The Garden Bird Health Initiative

The Garden Bird Health initiative (GBHi) was set up as a UFAW (Universities Federation for Animal Welfare) Working Group in 2003, including among others the RSPB, the BTO, and the Institute of Zoology.

In 2005, the GBHi was extended to become a major research and surveillance project studying garden bird health and disease outbreaks. This unique combination of scientists, conservationists and wildlife vets has proved to be a very successful partnership.

The group develops and publishes guidelines about how to best feed garden birds in order to maximise the benefits for their welfare and conservation, and minimise the risks from infections. It also researches into the impacts disease outbreaks can have on bird populations.

How you can help

If you are finding sick and dead birds in your garden, please help us monitor the spread and intensity of all disease outbreaks in garden birds by telling us what is happening to the birds visiting your garden. You can access a recording form by clicking on the link to the right.

Thanks for your contribution to this valuable piece of monitoring work. We’re sorry, but when we receive a lot of enquiries, we may not be able to respond to each one personally.

Diagnosis of disease, including trichomonosis, in wild birds relies on post mortem examination. The GBHi recommends following sensible hygiene precautions as a routine measure when feeding garden birds, and to avoid handling sick or dead wild birds directly.

If you require further information or advice, please e-mail our Wildlife Enquiries team at wildlife@rspb.org.uk or call 01767 693690 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm).

Gardeners go for Gold
There has been a phenomenal increase in the numbers of these striking birds in gardens over the past two decades. Improved foods and feeder designs used by garden birdwatchers, coupled with foraging pressures due to agricultural intensification, have encouraged Goldfinches into more urban areas.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden BirdWatch survey* shows that numbers of this colourful finch soar at this time of year as seed availability in the wider countryside is depleted. Goldfinches are also partial migrants to overseas wintering grounds, typically in France or Spain. During April, many of these winter wanderers return, swelling numbers that drop into gardens.

Only 12% of BTO Garden BirdWatchers were visited by Goldfinches during a typical week in April 1995. Last year, this figure had rocketed to 58% and shows no sign of levelling off.

Feeding habits
Goldfinches are particularly partial to small, oil-rich seeds, such as nyger and sunflower hearts. Nyger seed is very fine and so a specialised nyger feeder is required. Gardeners can also help Goldfinches by fostering a number of plant species, mostly in the family Asteraceae (e.g. groundsels), which provide alternative ‘natural’ foods. Teasels are another favourite, with Goldfinches being the only UK finch with a long enough beak to be able to extract its seeds. Like other common finches, Goldfinches appear to favour gardens that have large trees nearby, which help them to survey an area before dropping down onto feeders.

Top feeding suggestions
For the best chance of attracting Goldfinches, choose BTO Sunflower Hearts provided in a BTO Seed Feeder, which has a FeedSafe antibacterial coating or BTO Nyger Seed provided in a BTO Nyger Seed Feeder, also with a FeedSafe antibacterial coating.  A full BTO range of feed and feeders is available at www.ernest-charles.com.

What to look for
Adults have red, clown-like faces with buff breast and shoulders. Their wings are mainly black, with white spots but are characterised most obviously by a broad, gold wing-bar on each wing. Recently fledged birds do not have a red face, which moults through during late summer and autumn, helping them to stay concealed from predators and reducing the likelihood that adult Goldfinches will see them as a threat. Goldfinches are slightly smaller than Chaffinches and Greenfinches.

For a free BTO Goldfinch Factsheet: email gbw@bto.org, telephone 01842-750050 or write to Goldfinch Factsheet, Garden BirdWatch, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU.

Ernest Charles, wild bird food and bird feeder on-line and catalogue specialist, has teamed up with partner the British Trust for Ornithology to select a favourite bird of the month. For April the choice is the Goldfinch.  To enter our competition to win a bird feeder click here 

A house in Chelmsford, Essex, recently made headlines when it sold despite being totally covered in ivy.

The three bedroomed detached house even had ivy growing inside it as the creeping plant had penetrated the walls. It was left without power, and the windows were covered, making it impossible to let daylight in.

Its former owner had left the creeping plant to grow for 20 years before it received its much-needed “haircut” from a new buyer. Although this case is extreme, it does highlight the importance of keeping any creeping or climbing plants under control.

If creeping plants are left to grow out of control, they can cause cracks in the walls which can leave them vulnerable to frost damage. Your Home Insurance policy will usually state that you’re responsible for keeping exterior walls in good condition so that frost damage doesn’t occur.

Here are some tips to keep your creeping plants well maintained:

Some plants will grow of their own accord, whereas others will need tying to the wall. If you don’t want the hassle of tying them in, choose ivy or Virginia creepers, which don’t need support. A clematis, on the other hand, will benefit from some support.

If you opt for ivy plants, plant them away from direct sunlight and make sure the soil is always moist. Plant them on the shady side of your house if you can.

Prune regularly, getting rid of any leaves that have turned brown or yellow. If your creeping plants are young, move them indoors in cold and frosty weather.

Cut back your creepers regularly, and don’t allow them to get out of control as they can work their way in between roof tiles, take hold on bricks and ruin flashing.

Never allow a climbing plant to grow in your roof or gutters as not only can it cause damage, but can help mice and rats enter the property by acting as a climbing frame for them. If the plant makes holes, flies and wasps can easily get in.

If you’re thinking about buying a house that’s covered in a creeping plant, take notice of what the survey says as this can highlight any problems or pitfalls.

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