Brambling Invasion

2019 was an incredible year for the Brambling. This a finch that overwinters in the UK. This is my account of the influx of these winter visitors into my village and the tragic loss of some birds through a disease known as Trichomonosis. By the end of March up to 50 Brambling were visiting my garden and even started to call and sing.

[@neilwhit1]

What a great watch! Hope they've been returning in similar numbers since? Hoping to get Brambling onto my life list this Winter!

[@PeterGarrity]

Glad you enjoyed it - sadly very few since, odd one or two , winters have been mild though 😢

[@John-mz1cn]

Brilliant ,well done , I bet that was a sight for sore eyes .

[@PeterGarrity]

It was an experience 😊

[@andrewpayne4821]

Just had one feeding under the bird table first I ever seen .

[@PeterGarrity]

They are cracking birds always lovely to see 👍

[@rayslf1858]

Hi Peter am in Northern Ireland as a young boy I would regularly see Brambling, Yellowhammer and Linnets. The numbers of Yellowhammer and Linnets still low but this year I have been seeing a surprising number of Brambling. Sadly though I had a few puffy looking chaffinch appear and then lots of my garden birds was sick Tric had hit and I had to stop feeding. Do you know is there a recommended disinfectant or bleach to kill Tric?

[@PeterGarrity]

Hi there - the British Trust for Ornithology are currently working to get better data and I expect better advice for the public. They are undertaking surveys in southern England initially and looking at Tric. All I can suggest is using a domestic disinfectant on feeders and feeding stations - if you have a serious breakout then I would also suggest postponing feeding for at least two weeks and if possible get your neighbours to do the same. I personally think feeding on the ground sparingly can help but diseased birds regurgitate food as they can’t swallow so it’s not without risk 😩

[@rayslf1858]

@@PeterGarrity yeah my normal course of action has always been using domestos bleach, back when I was a boy although it was rarely seen and I never knew what it was called I knew it was some germ and domestos had that line kills all known germs dead lol and it did work. If it not Tric it’s been one of my 3 sparrow hawks killing birds this winter. I saw 5 Brambling on the day of the great garden bird watch I was tingling as I hadn’t seen a Brambling since I was a young lad and after I sent off the number 5 on the laptop I then wrote strike that 5 there is now only 4 Brambling and a sparrow hawk. I was bouncing 😭

[@PeterGarrity]

Still a great species to add 👍

[@rayslf1858]

@@PeterGarrity oh aye undoubtedly it was but I see one of them 3 sparrow hawks at my feeders every day. And it’s 35 to 40 years since I seen a Brambling. I guess having 5 at one time I was just being greedy lol

[@martinroper]

Lovely video Peter

[@PeterGarrity]

Thanks very much Martin

[@stecalcutt2596]

Brilliant work.

[@PeterGarrity]

Thanks Steven

[@danielosullivam6662]

Great stuff

[@PeterGarrity]

Thanks Daniel

[@Just_shush_now]

Aren't you scared of rats? Seems like spreading seeds would be a huge attraction.

[@PeterGarrity]

We occasionally get rats but I also have a gun

[@Just_shush_now]

@@PeterGarrity oh that works.

[@exotickhanaarif4333]

What do you feed to bramblings?? Is it sunflower seeds??

[@PeterGarrity]

A mixture but yes they do like sunflower

[@exotickhanaarif4333]

@@PeterGarrity ok thanks here i will try for sunflower seeds