Blasted Goldfinches! The Downside!

Mutter_2

A hawk visited my garden this morning. I couldn't identify what bird it took possibly a starling. I realise it's nature and all, but I can't help feeling that I'd provided its breakfast, nicely fattened up with seed.

No Goldfinches yet, maybe you've got the monopoly on them Hintza. Send a few South please.

floyd

I love the goldfinches in my garden, we also get greenfinches, chaffinches and siskins and they all seem to muck in together at the nyger feeder. The highest count we had was 27 goldfinches in one frantic session, we don't live anywhere particularly exotic, they just seem to like it.
I had to get one of the trays that fits n the bottom as 50% of it was ending up on the floor and sprouting in the borders and lawn. At least now the collared doves go and empty what is caught in the tray as the finches won't touch it!

My Mum was visiting last week and saw our resident sparrowhawk get one of our littlies but I don't know what type of bird it took. I hope it was a starling as they are horrid to the doves and blackbirds

Hintza

Peace returned for a few days as they obviously had sorted out the pecking order. However numbers have jumped again and I think I now have 13 of the the wee devils all squabbling like fury again.

Interestingly the Siskin (I think only one) has stayed around but does not join in and even with all the fighting once he is on his perch nothing will move him....lol

Debt_Free_Chick

I have Goldfinches and also feed them Niger seed. If you garden, you could try some of the thistle like plants that they like too, but you won't get any seed from them until late Summer.

My best ever "Goldfinch Day" was when I counted 38 - yes, 38!!!! - of them in and around three feeders

Rikki

If you've got siskins feeding on the niger seeds keep your eye out for Redpoles they often flock with Siskins. I've had quite a few pairs this year.