Male Greenfinch ( Carduelis chloris )

I felt the Greenfinch was the ideal blip for today as we haven't had any in the garden for a while.  I was starting to worry that the Trichomonosis which was first noticed in Greenfinches in 2006 and has caused a rapid crash in numbers must have seen them all off.

So I was particularly pleased to see three at once in the bush beside the feeders.  However, it is a good reminder to keep up with the feeder hygiene as birds suffering from any disease easily pass it on at feeders.  A thorough wash in a weak bleach solution, a good rinse, and then air dry is all that is needed, about once a week.

The other ornithological highlight of the day, well for me anyway, was seeing a female Bullfinch in the Budlia, we do get them very occasionally maybe 6 or seven times a year.