I have seen several Green finches in my garden looking puffed up and lethargic. Sadly two of the green finches have later died. Do you know what could be causing this?

Back in 2005 following an increased number of finch deaths the Garden Bird Health Initiative identified a parasitic infection called trichomoniasis as the cause. Since 2005 reported deaths have continued to increase. The parasitic infection can be spread by infected and non infected birds feeding and drinking from the same sources. The birds that appear to be most affected by the infection include Chaffinches and Green Finches, however it is also though that house sparrows and other fiches species may be susceptible to the disease.
The symptoms most commonly displayed by the birds include:

Lethargy
Puffed up plummage
Drool saliva
Regurtitate food
Difficulty breathing

To help stop the spread of this infection amongst garden birds there are a few simply steps you can take to help.

Clean and disinfect bird feeders regularly – Use a weak solution of disinfectant and hot water to clean out your bird feeders. Rinse the feeder thoroughly and air dry feeders before reuse.
Provision of clean fresh water in bird baths
Rotation of feeders to prevent build up of mess and food remains

When cleaning out any feeder please ensure you practice good hygiene and wear gloves along with washing your hands thoroughly after you have finished.

When is the best time of year to clean out my bird box?

If you do have bird boxes in your garden it is important that you take a little time each autumn to maintain them. It is vital that you clean nest boxes only once you are sure that the birds are no longer using them and we are outside the bird breeding season. The Countryside and Wildlife Act permits the cleaning out of nest boxes from the 1st August to the 31st January. Sussex Wildlife Trust usually recommends October or November for cleaning out your bird boxes. This ensures birds have finished nesting but enables you to get the box ready for the winter as a warm roosting spot.

The best way to clean out the box is to take it down remove the old nest and pour over a kettle of hot water. The hot water will kill off any parasites that may be in the box. Remember to observe safe hygiene practice as nests can carry diseases and parasites so wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards.

I have spotted a huge yellow and black stripy spider can you tell me what it is?

From your brief description it sounds as if you have found a female wasp spider. The appearance of this spider gives it its name and acts to deter predators. The females which can reach up to 17mm are very distinct with yellow and black stripy legs. The male of the species is much small at only 4 -5mm and pale brown in colour.

This species is increasingly common in the south east of England. The wasp spider which is a non native species is thought to have been introduced from Europe. The first reported sighting was in 1922 although it is possible that the spider was here before that date. The species which native range is around the Mediterranean Sea has been report as far north as Cambridge.

The best time to see these spiders is during July to October when they can be seen in their webs. Wasp spiders build their webs in long grass or low growing vegetation. The web has a vertical zigzag pattern of silk in it called a stabilimentum. The reason for the zig zag pattern is still not clear. However theories suggest it is thought that it helps attract insects, while others have suggested that it makes the web more stable or deters birds flying through the large webs. The location of the webs in long grass makes them ideal traps for the wasp spiders favoured prey grasshoppers. Why not let us know if you have seen one of these spiders.

I have recently seen a creature in my garden that looks like an insect but hovers like a humming bird what do you think it is?

This is an insect that suffers from mistaken identity on a regular basis. The insect you have spotted in your garden is a hummingbird hawkmoth. It is so named as it can be easily mistaken for a hummingbird as it hovers, probing flowers for nectar with its long proboscis.

The Hummingbird hawk moth is a day flying moth and is often just seen as a brown blur however it is also a species of moth that can often be heard. This is because their wings beat so fast they make an audible hum as the move from flower to flower. The flowers that hummingbird hawkmoths are often seen probing for nectar in gardens are Buddleia and Fuchsia.

The hummingbird hawk moth is a species that is widespread throughout much of Europe and spreads north in to the UK each year and can often be seen between the months of May and September. Adult moths have often found it hard to survive our winters in the UK however due to the milder winters we have been experiencing the hummingbird hawkmoth has found it possible to over winter in some areas in the UK. This year the hummingbird hawkmoth were spotted on the wing as early as February in East Sussex.

WildCall Factsheet disclaimer: All information contained within Sussex Wildlife Trust WildCall factsheets is to the best of our knowledge true and accurate at the time of printing. The Sussex Wildlife Trust will not accept any responsibility or liability for any losses or damage resulting from following the advice given.