chaffinch fledgling

[Sprout]

is it likely that a fledgling chaffinch would be around at this time of year?
there's a fluffy, bumbling, what i assume to be a fledgling at the feeders this morning but i would have thought it a bit late in the year.

[Simples]

Can't say I have any fledglings around but there are still a lot of young birds, mostly finches and sparrows. Ours must have had two broods this summer and I guess the first was late due to appalling spring weather, so the second lot appeared on my feeders around August.

[Gatekeeper]

I'm a bit concerned by your description of the bird; it may have Trichomonosis. Here is a link to a thread on this site-

Trichomonosis

and another for the RSPB info page-

The RSPB: Advice: Trichomonosis in finches and other garden birds

Just in case.

[Sprout]

gatekeeper, thanks for those links. i've been out all day so haven't seen the bird since this morning. i'll try to have a closer look if it turns up again to see if i can see more detail.

[Gatekeeper]

Hopefully it's not Trichomonosis, but if it is, that particular chaffinch could be dead by now or will soon be. Unfortunately, if it is Trichomonosis, your feeders and birdbaths will probably be infected. Keep an eye out for any other birds with the same behaviour/symptoms, particularly Greenfinches. If you do see further birds with the same symptoms, you need to try to follow the advice on the RSPB link. Unfortunately, there is a major epidemic of Trichomonosis in the country at the moment, and it is wiping out our finches and sparrows. Let me know how you get on. All the best.