Scientists are appealing for public help in the battle against a virulent avian disease which appears to have jumped species and is now attacking some of Britain’s most popular garden birds like greenfinches and chaffinches.

The parasite spread disease is trichomonosis, which has been known in the past to affect pigeons and doves but has now spread to smaller garden birds, particularly members of the finch family. It was first noticed two years ago and, sadly, seems to be particularly common around bird feeders, which millions British home owners have in their gardens.

The outbreak was investigated by scientists working for the Garden Bird Health Initiative (GBHi) which today (August 18) published a sombre report saying that greenfinch populations had dropped by a third in some areas and chaffinch numbers are 20% down.

The disease tends to strike at this time of the year and ornithologists are asking for members of the public to report any dead birds found in their gardens – often near feeders or water bowls – by logging onto www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/health/sickbirds/greenfinches.asp

This information could be of vital importance in battling further spread of the disease. Householders worried about unintentionally spreading the disease via their bird feeders can get advice on www.ufaw.org.uk/gbhi.php

Dr Rob Robinson, a principal ecologist at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) joint lead author, commented “These findings demonstrate that virulent infectious diseases can cause sharp population declines in common wild birds in just a short period of time”.