• Replies 7 replies
  • Subscribers 96 subscribers
  • Views 1396 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Latest posts

Avian Flu

Minkx
11/01/2021 12:58

Hello,

I,m new to the site. joined to find out if others have noticed a decline in bird numbers to their feeders. We have 2 feeders and normally have a queue of  goldfinches, chaffinches etc ,and have to replenish the feeders twice per day. Over the last 19 days there has been a significant drop in numbers, even though we have had snow and very cold.The feeders don't need replenishing nearly so much. We are in the Scottish Borders and our son in Glasgow has noticed the same. Worried this could be avian flu.  We have chickens who are in lock down in the polytunnell.

  • 11/01/2021 18:18
    Hello Minkx, welcome from Caithness, further up the motorway and A9 from the borders and Glasgow, the very top. I can't say I have noticed a decline in them at our feeders. I would the usual breeds about and possibly the same in numbers.

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

  • 11/01/2021 22:34
    hello Catlady,
    It is all very strange. Even if the goldfinches are gone, there are usually masses of chaffinches picking up what the goldfinches drop. Hopefully they will return. I can,t find any recent updates on Avian Flu, the only recorded outbreak in Scotland was in Orkney which is much closer to you in Caithness..
  • 11/01/2021 23:20
    Hi Minkx welcome to the forum from me in Lanarkshire. I think the long lasting freeze may have played a part recently as I had about 20 chaffis on the ground hoovering up what the greenies dropped, and since bad weather the numbers have dropped to about 5 but have had an increase in goldies recently, other than that still the same amount of all other visitors. Now that we have defrosted hopefully they shall be back soon.

    (Pardon the Scottish Accent)

  • 12/01/2021 09:34 in reply to Linda257
    There do seem to bi a few more birds this morning, though the feeders are still half full from 2 days ago. Not much competition as we have no close neighbors.Saving us money though!
  • 14/12/2021 10:27
    Is there a common house disinfectant that I can
    use to clean my bird feeders
  • 14/12/2021 14:33 in reply to MauriceJ-970830643

    MauriceJ-970830643 said:
    Is there a common house disinfectant that I can
    use to clean my bird feeders

      Hi Maurice,     Yes, you can use a diluted form of household disinfectant  (do not use any insecticides or bug sprays, etc. on feeders or nest-boxes )   Once scrubbed with diluted disinfectant  rinse thoroughly with clean water.     You can alternatively purchase dedicated bird feeder cleaners like Ark-Klens 

    More information here

    _________________________________________________________________________

    Regards, Hazel