Basically, I have never had finches feeding in my garden, but have had goldfinches sitting in the garden.I left the house yesterday with the sunflower seed feeder (4 port) full up to just above the top ports (it has never been used!) and I came back today with it empty way below the top ports and definitely has NOT been emptied by the wind. I have a list of what I think it could have been.
1. Blue tits
2. Goldfinches?
3.Greenfinches (have heard them chirping next door)
Please help. (PS. The Niger seed feeder looks a bit emptier as well which has also never been used but may have been emptied by the wind!)
Coal
Birding , Birding, Birding !
Hi Coal
All of the birds you mention will eat sunflower seeds plus chaffinches, great tits and any other finches you may get.
I'm rather puzzled by your question. You say that your feeders are never used but how do you know if you are not there. If there are finches about they will almost certainly come to feed when they feel its safe to do so. Perhaps they just wait for you to go out. Maybe they have only just discovered your food supply.
The nyger seed will be consumed more slowly simply because the seed is so small that it just takes longer for the level in the feeder to reduce.
Don't know whether this helps.
____________________________________________________________________
Tony
My Flickr Photostream
I think you will find that goldfinches are the little culprits. They empty my sunflower feeders at great speed and also love the nyger seeds. A greenfinch visits occasionally but doesn't spend much time on the feeders. The blue tits eat the sunflower seeds but only one or two at a time.
Carole W
Hi teejay,
When I filled it up I didnt fill it up to the top and I am so used to seeing it not used i remembered the EXACT level I filled it up to (call me sad) so I know whether it has been used.
Also I didnt think of Great tits! 9 But have only ever had them in the garden once 4 months ago and They didn't feed then.)
I think the finches may have just discovered it as I heard greenfinches next door 2 days ago for the first time and last week had Goldfinches in the garden for the first time as well!
Sorry when I said '9' I meant to say 'i'
Hi Coal think most likely Goldfinches as sometimes when they go to a feeder about 12 or perhaps more go at the same time
The only thing I would add to what has already been said, is if wasn't any of the birds, have you any visiting squirrels ? They can empty a feeder in no time.
I have found that just because you don't see the birds, doesn't mean they aren't there! Mine wait until my back is turned to give hubby great views! Of course, I haven't seen them and he can't prove he did, so they don't exist. Is that too competitive do you think?
If you hear them around, they almost certainly visit. Keep the seed fresh and keep watching!