FINCHES

 I haven't heard or seen a chaffinch this year, although they are supposed to be one of our commonest British birds.   

Bullfinches are more secretive and used to be persecuted by fruit farmers because they eat the buds on apple and pear trees.  They used to be heard near the Thornbury community compost site.

Greenfinches were also common but have suffered lately.  

The RSPB website says: 

Greenfinch populations declined during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but increased dramatically during the 1990s. A recent decline in numbers has been linked to an outbreak of trichomonosis, a parasite-induced disease which prevents the birds from feeding properly.

But this week I heard a greenfinch twittering and wheezing near the skateboard park in Thornbury.  Hooray !  

Maybe I have just been unobservant.  Has anyone else had better finch-luck ?