eewww, my first dead goldfinch

[storye_book]

I was just sweeping out the drain under the feeders today - the first chance I'd had since this last couple of days of bad weather. There was a dead goldfinch - I can't guess the cause of death because the rats had been at it.

I'm wondering whether it hit the window, or whether it was just a weak one. Has anyone yet heard of trichomoniasis as far north as north yorks - or of goldfinches getting the disease? [CJ's latest update says the finches can all get it, but it doesn't say if goldfinches have actually got it yet].

I'm currently cleaning the nyger feeders every time the birds empty them. However the new one is emptying so slowly that it hasn't had its first clean yet (though I regularly wash its tray). I guess if I find any more dead ones, I'll have to stop feeding. Fingers crossed, then.

[Mobee]

I am getting rather concerned with the lack of birds in my garden, where have they all gone? I haven't seen a greenfinch for 8 weeks I don't know if they have succumbed to trichomoniasis but I haven't seen any sick or dead birds, so I hope not. My feeders haven't needed replenishing for some time which is a problem in itself, how long do I leave food in them before it needs to be thrown out? So far this week I have only had visits from 1 woodpidgeon 2 blackbirds and a sparrowhawk perhaps she is part of the problem. I can't even hear any birdsong apart from a dunnock at 2.00a.m. and it wasn't in my garden.

[storye_book]

hi mobee

the last time i saw my garden it was last sunday, and i had had no blackbirds in the actual garden for months - though all the other regulars were there. the warm, damp autumn seems to have confused all the wildlife. however the blackbirds were all on the green belt - you could hear them. i'm hoping that they're just all elsewhere. has the frost set in yet? i guess that will bring them all back.

[Emma]

It could have been canker (trichomoniasis), but it could have been a number of other things, too.

If there are birds with canker in your local area then a goldfinch can pick it up just as easily as a sparrow, chaffinch or greenfinch, etc.

We've had woodpigeons, sparrows, chaffinches and greenfinches all with canker (we're way north of you, by the way).

As for the lack of birds - everyone seems to be experiencing this - and it's largely down to the mild weather we have just now. There is a bumper crop of natural food out there this year, and until all the natural supplies are exhausted your garden will remain quiet.

If you suspect canker, all you can do is keep your garden and feeding stations/feeders nice and clean. I clean mine regularly but it's all pretty much in vain if Joe Bloggs next door isn't doing the same.

[Jenny]

Emma, I'm further north than you and you're right - still a lot of natural food around so things are quiet (ish). Have noticed though that the birds will still come in for a top up and as it's got really a bit chilly last few days I've putting more food out and it's disappearing. We've also just come out of three weeks of gales and torrential rain when the birds have been down in more sheltered areas - it's very exposed where I am - so that's had some impact.

[Mobee]

Thanks for your views, I think the weather may be in part to blame. I hope it isn't canker, how would I recognise a bird with this disease? We have just had our first frost, living near the coast we usually get off lightly, some birds have put in an appearance but only briefly. I had a visit from two goldcrests today they dont visit my garden very often so I regard them as special. I also had two greenfinches earlier in the week but they have disappeared again. The blackbirds used to demolish the apples I put out for them at a prodigious rate but not this year.