On a day when you are at home most of the day, what are your peaks and troughs as regards numbers of birds in your garden. Also, when do your birds go to bed at the moment?
I'm not an earlier riser, no need to be as I am retired and prefer late nights to early mornings. Anyway, I have no idea what time I get an early morning peak, but I certainly have a peak between 11am and 1-30pm. (This is when I'm going to do my bird count.)
There is a lull during the afternoon, then another flurry at the moment about 3-30pm. They seem to be in bed by 4-15, although it isn't fully dark at that time here, and there maybe an odd starling on his look out post, but nothing else.
Cheers, Linda.
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Woodpecker. those photo's make me feel so inadequate lol they are wonderful. I have never AS YET had Finches in my garden. Keep the pics coming they are wonderful.
Woodpecker, you are now showing off - state of the art feeder and all those goldies, and you casually say "a few of my goldfinches"!!!! Fantastic photo.
LOL Johnny - it's been so cold here recently my bedroom window has stayed firmly closed, and the double glazing keeps out the noise of the dawn chorus.
Unknown said:I have never AS YET had Finches in my garden
Thank you lynettemj, I have been a keen photographer for years and have a nice camera which helps a lot.
No offence intended but I assume that you have tried Niger seed possibly in one of those little red 'trial size' Niger seed feeders or something similar? That's all I did. They only have to find it and they will keep coming. I originally put mine right away from the other feeders quite high in a tree but where it was really visible.
You can see from my goldfinch pic that my feeder isn't a standard issue. Jacobi Jayne got it from Droll Yankees US when I asked about it (they have more) and they let me have a damaged yellow top from a different type of goldfinch flocker so that the goldfinches would spot it easily. I was advised that the yellow colour attracts goldfinches and siskins. I always wondered why the 'trial size' feeder is red but never asked.
Best wishes Chris
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Woodpecker. I always intended to place a Nyjer seed feeder in the garden but was informed by a member of staff from a well known bird food supplier that unless I had them visiting the garden already, hanging one out was pointless. I questioned her further and explained that if I had them already then I wouldn't need to attract them, to which she replied that if they are in my area then they will visit my garden whether I have a Nyjer feeder or not and that as I haven't then having one is not going to make any difference. So confused I decided against getting one. Do you think I should ??
Hi Sparrow,
Sorry I didn't mean to 'rub in' the fact that some birders can't seem to get their fair share of goldfinches. I don't have a jackdaw! That feeder was about £17 from Jacobi Jayne and I particularly wanted that one because I thought it would last longer with the metal pieces around the tube.
OH constantly moans about how many feeders I have. I daren't buy any more.
Unknown said: Woodpecker. I always intended to place a Nyjer seed feeder in the garden but was informed by a member of staff from a well known bird food supplier that unless I had them visiting the garden already, hanging one out was pointless. I questioned her further and explained that if I had them already then I wouldn't need to attract them, to which she replied that if they are in my area then they will visit my garden whether I have a Nyjer feeder or not and that as I haven't then having one is not going to make any difference. So confused I decided against getting one. Do you think I should ??
Those red 'trial size' feeders are only 99p (well they were last year) and I never saw hide nor hair of a goldfinch or a siskin until I put mine up.
I would definitely give it a try for the sake of 99p.
Love Chris X
hi Woodpecker. would really value your opinion on the answer I just gave about the Nyjer feeder. Many thanks. Oh sorry have just seen your reply lol thank you
Woodpecker said: Those red 'trial size' feeders are only 99p (well they were last year) and I never saw hide nor hair of a goldfinch or a siskin until I put mine up. I would definitely give it a try for the sake of 99p. Love Chris X
Thanks Chris I will. You never know. Thought I heard the wheezy call of a greenfinch whilst walking back from town a couple of months back but thought I was imagining it. I shall give it a go.
Hi lynettemj,
One thing I forgot to add about goldfinches and siskins, they only come to my garden for that one feeder. On the odd occasion they might have a peck at the sunflower seeds while they are waiting, but if I didn't have Niger (Nyger) seed then I'm sure they wouldn't come. So I don't see how the advice you were given can be 100% accurate.
Woodpecker said: Hi lynettemj, One thing I forgot to add about goldfinches and siskins, they only come to my garden for that one feeder. On the odd occasion they might have a peck at the sunflower seeds while they are waiting, but if I didn't have Niger (Nyger) seed then I'm sure they wouldn't come. So I don't see how the advice you were given can be 100% accurate.
Yeah the advice confused me too but don't use their forum anymore and I really appreciate the advice people give on here. I feel like I am being properly informed. I have a lot to learn but are eager. Are going to Rainham Marshes reserve on Tuesday so will pick up a feeder from there. I live on an estate where so few people feed the birds that you don't believe that you can make much of a difference but I am trying and speaking to people like yourself is very inspiring so thank you