Trichomonosis & Greenfinches

alisonclair · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 06:34 PM

Hi

I am a little sad to say I think we have some cases of the above disease in our garden. I found a very lethargic greenfinch the other day which let me pick it up and put it on the bird table. It died within a few minutes. I have now just noticed another very fluffed up greenfinch on the feeder, seems to be having trouble feeding. Could barely fly away when I went out there, doesn't look like it will last much longer.

Anyway, I have taken in the feeders, and will disinfect them all tomorrow. Is there anything else I can do? Should I keep the feeders in for a week or so, so any infected birds die off? Also, do I need to report these things?

Thanks and sorry for the sad post, it breaks my heart coz' all the greenfinches and goldfinches have returned in the last 3 weeks, and its been like picadilly circus on the feeders.

Littlesparrow · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 07:22 PM

There has been another thread on this recently, visit the RSPB site for the most accurate information, but basically they say not to feed the birds for some time and to leave bird baths dry to stop it spreading.

alisonclair · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 07:29 PM

Thanks. Have found stuff on RSPB website, and filled in their recording form

actionfinch · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 08:17 PM

a friend at work mentioned this to me... made a good read, i must admit i think im to keen when it comes to cleaning my feeders , but when you read about something like this , it makes it worthwhile

werdnal · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 09:09 PM

They were talking about this on our local radio last week. Apparently it is quite rife in Cornwall at the moment. The expert on there suggested keeping feeders in until end of October, as natural seed sources are high at this time of year, so finches don't really need supplementary feeding until then anyway.

I've not actually seen any birds showing signs around here, but definately less finches around this year, so I guess it is having an effect on numbers.

Guinnessman1974 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 11:37 AM

Greenfinches have disappeared from our garden in the past month, whether it be due to this disease or they are out in the fields at this time of year I'm not sure.

However, I've been continuing to feed bird seed in the garden but I might stop for a while.

Deb London · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 11:42 AM

There's been a terrible decline here. A male was singing up the hill from us in the spring. It's where I go foe exercise so I was able to monitor the spot regularly. I never heard it after spring. I am a little sad about this.

I am growing sunflowers. I am assuming that they are not as likely to get trich from the heads. Am I right?

lenabears · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010, 08:43 PM

I think we have Greenfinch showing signs of this in our garden at the moment.
I have seen at least three of them all fluffed up, looking very bedraggled and lethargic.
My 16 year old moggie, who has never caught a thing in her life to my knowledge, has brought two dead ones to me in the last week.
I have taken down all my feeders & the bird bath is now empty & I have filled in the form for the RSPB, is there anything else I can do to prevent it spreading?
I must say we have never had so many finches, mainly Greenfinch, visit our feeders as we have had this year.
It's all very sad