What is Garden BirdWatch?Garden BirdWatch is a great way to understand and help the birds and other wildlife on your doorstep. Join our community and share your interest in garden wildlife. Garden BirdWatch is organised by the BTO.

w www.bto.org/gbw e gbw@bto.org t 01842–750050

Your BTO Garden BirdWatch Membership FormPlease return this form to Freepost RTJK-ABCB-UUEL, GBW, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU or join online at www.bto.org/gbw

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Some diseases of garden birdsLooking after the birdsin your garden . . .

Wild birds are susceptible to a range of different diseases, some of which are more common than others.

Outbreaks of disease may occur in populations of wild birds wherever they occur, including those visiting gardens, and can cause population declines. Diseases can be a welfare concern (especially if they are caused, or exacerbated, by human activities) and some can affect human health. As such, it is important to be able to recognise signs of disease and to adopt sensible hygiene measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission between individual birds.

With increasing numbers of bird species visiting gardens, it is possible that there might be negative implications involving disease transmission. Species that wouldn’t normally meet in close proximity may be mixing at garden feeding stations or birds may gather at higher densities than seen in other habitats, both of which may increase disease transmission.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some bird species may be more susceptible to disease than others. Species such as Greenfinches, House Sparrows and Collared Doves are amongst the most commonly reported victims of disease which may be, in part, due to the sociable nature of these birds and their tendency to feed in flocks.

Prevention is better than cureUnfortunately by the time we realise that a bird is ill, it is likely to be too late to do anything about it. This means that it is much better to take preventative action to stop an outbreak occurring in the first place.

The most likely place for disease to spread in gardens is at garden feeding stations where sick birds or birds acting as disease carriers could contaminate food or feeders through saliva or droppings.

Here are some simple tips to reduce the risk of disease spreading in your garden:

• Use several feeding stations to reduce the numbers of birds in any one place.

• ‘Rotate’ the use of feeding stations so they’re not all in constant use – rest periods can help reduce the risk of infection.

• Avoid placing feeding stations under garden features where birds perch or roost – this will prevent contamination with droppings.

• Regularly (fortnightly) clean and disinfect feeders, feeding stations and birdbaths with a suitable disinfectant, such as Ark-klens or Tamodine-E. Rinse and air-dry before using.

• Maintain careful personal hygiene, including wearing gloves, as some diseases can affect human and domestic animal health.

• Make sure that any brushes or equipment you use is not used for other purposes.

Greenfinches, by Jill Pakenham

House Sparrow, by John HardingHouse Sparrow, by John Harding

Salmonellosis: This is caused by Salmonella bacteria (typically Salmonella typhimurium). It affects sociable, seed-eating garden birds such as Greenfinch and House Sparrow. Infected birds tend to show non-specific signs of ill-health, including lethargy and fluffed-up plumage. Salmonella bacteria can persist in the environment for weeks or even months. Infection is most likely to spread via infected bird droppings contaminating food or water sources.

Avian pox: This is caused by the avian poxvirus. There are many different strains which have the ability to infect different birds. It most commonly affects Dunnock, House Sparrow, Woodpigeon and tit species including Great Tit. It shows as warty or tumour-like growths on the head (particularly next to eye or beak), legs, wings and other body parts. Growths can be relatively mild on many species, but, particularly in Great Tits, the growths can become very large and impede the ability of birds to see, feed or move around. It can be spread either by biting insects, direct bird-to-bird contact or indirect contact via contaminated surfaces such as bird tables.

Trichomonosis: This is caused by a parasite.Historically known to affect pigeons and doves, now the most commonly affected species are Greenfinch and Chaffinch. It typically causes disease at the back of the throat and in the gullet. Infected birds show signs of general illness (e.g. lethargy and fluffed-up plumage). They may also drool, regurgitate food, and have difficulty breathing or swallowing. It is most likely to spread by birds feeding one another with regurgitated food or via contaminated food or water.

Other diseases

There are a number of other infections that garden birds may succumb to. These include:

Leg abnormalities (see left) in finches can be caused by Chaffinch papillomavirus or by mites that can cause skin disease known as cnemidocoptosis. Mostly seen in Chaffinches, both diseases cause pale growths on the foot, toes or up the leg.

Escherichia albertii tends to affect sociable seed-eating garden birds like finches. It typically affects the digestive tract though birds affected tend to show non-specific signs of ill health like lethargy and fluffed-up plumage.

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Greenfinches are highly susceptible

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GARDEN BIRDSDisease and Hygiene

www.bto.org/gbw

About the BTOThe British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is a Registered Charity (No 216652 – England & Wales, No SC039193 – Scotland) dedicated to monitoring wild birds. We work with birdwatchers and scientists to produce unbiased information that is at the heart of bird conservation. Find out more about us at www.bto.org or write to us at: BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU.

What to do if you find a diseased bird...

Garden Wildlife Health

The Garden Wildlife Health (GWH) project is a collaborative project between the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Froglife and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and aims to monitor the health of, and identify disease threats to, British wildlife. The project is focusing on garden birds, amphibians, reptiles and hedgehogs.

Join Garden BirdWatch today for just £17...

GARDEN BIRDS AND WILDLIFEMike Toms and Paul SterryFOREWORD BY CHRIS BEARDSHAW

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Max Crop

GARD

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Mike Tom

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Garden Birds and Wildlife is the essential guide to identifying and learning about the wildlife in your garden. Combining the unique expertise of Britain’s leading bird

research authority, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and the experience and knowledge of expert authors Mike Toms and Paul Sterry, Garden Birds and Wildlife provides the reader with more information about the birds and other wildlife in British gardens than any other guide.

This book is the perfect companion for BTO Garden BirdWatch, the largest year-round study of garden wildlife in the World. By taking part in Garden BirdWatch you will not only enjoy many pleasurable hours, but will also increase your understanding of the wildlife with which you share your garden.

£14.99

Exclusive BTO Garden BirdWatch Edition

Cover images by John Harding, Jill Pakenham and Mike Toms

The Garden BirdWatch benefits

‘Garden BirdWatch is a great way to understand and help the birds and other wildlife on your doorstep. Please help by making your garden count.’

Chris Packham BTO Vice-President

A welcome pack.

A quarterly magazine packed with interesting articles.

Access to Garden BirdWatch Online.

Recording forms and instructions.

Chances to share your experiences with like-minded individuals.

Access to the BTO’s team of garden wildlife experts.

The opportunity to contribute valuable information that can be used to help conserve birds and other wildlife.

•••••••

Get a free copy of the acclaimed ‘Garden Birds and Wildlife’ book, worth £14.99, when you join.

When you join Garden BirdWatch you will be joining an established community of ‘citizen scientists’, people with a shared interest in their gardens and the wildlife that they contain. You will also discover new and exciting things about the behaviour of birds and other species using your garden.

A great gift for the bird lover, Garden BirdWatch is a present with a difference and is something that lasts the whole year. If you would like to make your gift even more special then order one of our smart gift boxes (£19.95). Call us for details (01842-750050) or order online (www.bto.org).

Get engaged with your garden by becoming a BTO Garden BirdWatcher and enjoy lots of benefits.

Garden BirdWatch Gift PackDiscover the wildlife in your garden with the BTO

Garden BirdWatch Gift Pack

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Discover the wildlife in your garden with the BTO

Garden BirdWatch Gift Pack

Great Tits, by Jill Pakenham

Chaffinch with leg abnormality, by Luke Delve

A BTO Garden BirdWatch Guide

Finding a diseased bird in your garden can be distressing. Here are some tips about what to do if you come across one.

Should I stop feeding? If it’s likely that birds will disperse to feed at lower densities on naturally-occurring foods elsewhere in the local environment, then it may be sensible to cease feeding for a short period. If the birds will struggle to find food elsewhere or will just move to another garden feeding station nearby, it is best to continue feeding, but only if you are confident in your hygiene regime.

Can a diseased bird be treated?

Treatment is rarely an appropriate option. If you find a sick or injured bird that is capable of avoiding threats (such as domestic animals), it may be in the best interests for this animal to be left alone. However, if you have doubts or the animal is not capable of fending for itself, you could contact your local veterinary surgeon. Alternatively, the RSPCA (England and Wales) and the Scottish SPCA (Scotland) may provide veterinary care for wildlife casualties. Please bear in mind that wildlife have unique requirements for survival after treatment and are relatively intolerant of prolonged captivity.

Reporting diseased birdsIt is important that cases of diseased animals, including birds, are reported to the Garden Wildlife Health (GWH) project so they can build a picture of the issues affecting garden wildlife throughout the country. Every report submitted

by the public contributes to a national database of wildlife disease incidents. Every sample submitted is examined and then archived into one of the largest wildlife tissue banks in the world. These are invaluable resources, which provide a solid grounding to study and safeguard the health of our garden wildlife.

The Garden Wildlife Health project needs your help! To report a diseased bird or animal please visit www.gardenwildlifehealth.org

Cover images: Luke Delve, John Harding and Jill Pakenham

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British Great Tits are affected by a new

strain of avian pox, one that causes

particularly severe skin lesions.

Visit the website to find out more about the project or to access fact sheets on specific diseases.

www.gardenwildlifehealth.org