- Greenfinch numbers in British gardens have plummeted by almost two-thirds in the last decade, primarily due to the parasitic disease trichomonosis.
- The RSPB recommends pausing the feeding of seed mixes and peanuts to birds between May and October to help prevent the spread of trichomonosis, which is transmitted at feeding stations.
- Adrian Thomas, an RSPB wildlife gardening expert, explains that the disease, historically affecting pigeons, has now spread to finches, including greenfinches and chaffinches.
- Gardeners are encouraged to cultivate plants that provide natural food sources, such as lavender, Verbena bonariensis, sunflowers, and echinacea, to support birds throughout the year.
- Strict hygiene practices are essential, including cleaning bird feeders at least weekly, changing bird bath water daily, and regularly relocating feeding stations to minimise disease transmission.
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