I know not all goldfinches migrate, and especially males may stay around, but I have a family of up to a dozen frequently visiting my feeder. They can't all be males so is this normal?
The gorgeous Long Tails are making their annual visit to my 'fatball' feeder. How do I encourage them to be more frequent visitors?
Goldie (from Cheshire)
Oh Squirrel, they are beautiful, and the bottom one looks extremely grumpy! Excellent photos, with so much detail. Thank you for sharing these "dumpy, grumpies"
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Welcome Goldie!
Squirrel - when (what time of year) did you take those pics? They're lovely!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Hi Sparrow, glad you like them.
Hi MarJus, they were taken after the first very light fall of snow we had. It had stopped snowing but the wind was blowing - hence the ruffled feathers! The birds were on the trellis which runs at a right angle to the window through which I took the photo. They were approximately 3 feet away from me - and only 2 feet away from the house. Using their intelligence, they had found a nice snow-free (sheltered) spot from which they could guard "their" table!
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Thanks for the info Squirrel! I asked as it looks so much like a juvenile robin to me! A dunnock in disguise! They are clever little birds I think!
Hi Goldie, I have a similar problem which I have solved by taking a margarine tub, punch holes in the sides, thread string through the holes, fill almost full with seeds, then pour melted lard over the seeds giving them a stir before it solidifies. Hang it up somewhere (mine hangs on a nail on an apple tree) at an angle of 25 degrees or so. Every day this 'pudding' is visited by two woodpeckers, numerous blackbirds, and all the little birds. The angle is just right for them to get a perch on it, and the little ones get right inside it, without our greedy doves or jackdaws getting a look in.
Goldie said: Thanks for the welcome, Squirrel. I must say the Long Tails haven't been so frequent as they usually are at this time of year, but a young woodpecker seems to have taken a liking to my nuts, so to speak. He's quite a brave thing, not easily spooked. I have a slight problem with around 20 ducks from the field opposite, and 3 hens who live next door. They have become wise to the time I throw seed for the ground feeding birds. The cheeky hens even come knocking at my french windows if I'm late. The poor ground feeders haven't a chance. The ducks hardly let the seed touch the ground. I do love them, but any thoughts on how to get the seed to the birds they are meant for would be appreciated.
Thanks for the welcome, Squirrel. I must say the Long Tails haven't been so frequent as they usually are at this time of year, but a young woodpecker seems to have taken a liking to my nuts, so to speak. He's quite a brave thing, not easily spooked.
I have a slight problem with around 20 ducks from the field opposite, and 3 hens who live next door. They have become wise to the time I throw seed for the ground feeding birds. The cheeky hens even come knocking at my french windows if I'm late. The poor ground feeders haven't a chance. The ducks hardly let the seed touch the ground. I do love them, but any thoughts on how to get the seed to the birds they are meant for would be appreciated.
Thank you so much for that, Marion, I will try it and let you know. It will probably be a week or so, due to work committments. I had a lovely time yesterday counting our visitors for the 'Big Garden Birdwatch'. I must spend a hour like that again, it was so relaxing, and I saw some birdie visitors I didn't even realised I had!
Goldie.