goldfinch

jdurbo · #1 (**permalink**) 23-07-2007, 05:06 PM

I have noticed today that the goldfinch have been coming to the feeder in twos, two are on the feeder and the next two are not aloud to get on till the two have finished and leave. Is this normal for goldfinch? many thanks jen xxx

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 23-07-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdurbo

I have noticed today that the goldfinch have been coming to the feeder in twos, two are on the feeder and the next two are not aloud to get on till the two have finished and leave. Is this normal for goldfinch? many thanks jen xxx

They're certainly not usually that orderly. They can be aggressive little blighters on feeders, sometimes knocking off larger birds such as House sparows- certainly in my garden. I often hear buzzy aggressive notes from my kitchen (feeder just outside back door!)

Cazzie · #3 (**permalink**) 23-07-2007, 06:34 PM

I've got one 'NOW' on my niger feeder!!!

However, with two feeders on the go, my goldies don't seem to have to queue

kshotton45 · #4 (**permalink**) 23-07-2007, 08:39 PM

I got the camera a bit too late to snap a parent feeding a youngster ( on Saturday).
The parent is at the bottom ( there's a Blue Tit in there as well). The juvenile is perched at the top. Only seconds earlier the parent was flying to the top and feeding the young one. This is the only shot I could get. They flew off before I could get a decent shot.

Keith.

jdurbo · #5 (**permalink**) 24-07-2007, 08:35 AM

Nice pic again keith. Think i might try putting a feeder with sunflower seeds near the niger feeder see if that helps cause they've not been on the one i have up its on the other side of the garden.
still not got my camera yet!!

jen xxx

kshotton45 · #6 (**permalink**) 24-07-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Nice pic again keith. Think i might try putting a feeder with sunflower seeds near the niger feeder see if that helps cause they've not been on the one i have up its on the other side of the garden.
still not got my camera yet!!

jen xxx

Hi. At the moment it's the sunflower hearts that everyone's after. It's a popular seed at the moment.
I shall be experimenting with camera appatures at the weekend, I hope I can catch the Goldfinches being fed by the parents, it'll make a good photo if I can get a close up.

Keith

jdurbo · #7 (**permalink**) 24-07-2007, 11:30 AM

keith
I made a special bird cake just for the great tits and hung it from the tree and they have all gone crazy for it, even had the robins and blackbirds trying to get at it so i put one one the floor for them.
jen xxx

kshotton45 · #8 (**permalink**) 24-07-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdurbo

keith
I made a special bird cake just for the great tits and hung it from the tree and they have all gone crazy for it, even had the robins and blackbirds trying to get at it so i put one one the floor for them.
jen xxx

I want one !!!

What's the recipie ?

Keith.

jdurbo · #9 (**permalink**) 24-07-2007, 12:09 PM

suet, lots of crushed nuts, sunflower seeds, some other seeds, muesli,chopped apricots (already stoned the kind you get in a bag and cut them up with scissors) and lard.
are you going to make some?
you will have them flocking after your bird cake!
jen xxx

kshotton45 · #10 (**permalink**) 24-07-2007, 01:38 PM

Wow ! what a recipie!
Yes, I'm certainly going to try it. I might leave out the lard and eat it myself !!

Thanks Keith.

kshotton45 · #11 (**permalink**) 28-07-2007, 07:27 PM

On trial tomorrow ...................

Keith.

jdurbo · #12 (**permalink**) 29-07-2007, 04:53 AM

Oh wow looks fantastic!!!
Let me know how the birds like it.
jen xxx

smartie · #13 (**permalink**) 29-07-2007, 08:46 AM

The cake looks great. I put too much lard in my last attempt and it melted in the sun. Very messy.

The goldfinches' feeding behaviour here is interesting at present. The adults are filling themselves up on niger seed as usual, but then transferring to the sunflower hearts to feed their whirring offspring on chewed-up bits.

kshotton45 · #14 (**permalink**) 29-07-2007, 09:44 AM

I'm also concerned at the amount of lard that I've put in. I'm already planning Mark II. This will have much more suet in .
Here's how it was done.
The ornamental tin pot for the mould was from Asda (£1). Cut a rough circle of 1/2" chicken mesh. Put a few cuts radially inwards to help it form. 'Mould' the chicken wire into the pot, use the handle of a hammer to tamp it down and make it a good fit.
Pour the mix in, trim off the excess wire. Thread some string through the wire.
As the birds 'free' up the suet ball, the chicken mesh will 'contain' it. When the suet has been eaten the mesh can be used again.
That's the theory anyway !

Keith.

jdurbo · #15 (**permalink**) 29-07-2007, 10:10 AM

keith
If it a little sloppy i put some more muesli and chopped nuts in to thicken it up.
I also let it cool before putting it in a pot and this stops the lard running to the bottom and easier to press down to make it compact.
Hope this helps
jen xxx

kshotton45 · #16 (**permalink**) 29-07-2007, 01:13 PM

Thanks jen.
What have I concocted !!!!
A Squirel was on it straight away. Then a flock of Starlings ( about 5 at one time, with more waiting ) I fetched the camera, but as usual it was too late. Then a Magpie perched just above it on the post and was eyeing it up. We never get Magpies on the feeders !
At the moment the Blue Tits and Great Tits are feeding on it . I snapped this juvenile Robin below it picking up the bits that had fallen.
(as I type, I've been told that the Squirrels back !()

The block is glistening in the sun at the moment! I'm expecting a meltdown.
There won't be much activity today as I'm working outside, I've just come in for lunch and the Robins moved in to pick over where I've been working.
I'm doing a makeover on my bird feeding area. So any tips on what to include in the new one will be welcome. During the initial excavation I disturbed a large Frog anbd a large Toad. I've rehoused these! I also disturbed 2 newts. They come from a Newt colony in the wood at the bottom of the garden, so I escorted them off the premises. It just means I'll have to be careful in case theres any more.
I disturbed a load of Slugs. I don't kill them, you have to learn to live with them. Anyone who thinks they can cleanse their gardens of Slugs and Snails are kidding themselves.

Here's a picture of a juicy Slug escaping to my neighbours garden! I don't believe in disturbing wildlife, so I suppose I'll have to let it go!

I'll put some more pics on the Reptile and Amphibian Forum, as I want some advice on what I can incorporate around the bird feeding area to help the frogs etc.

Keith.

kshotton45 · #17 (**permalink**) 29-07-2007, 06:35 PM

The fall ball tests were inconclusive, as I've been working in the garden all day and keeping the birds away. We do know that Squirrels, Magpies, Starlings,Robins ( adult and Juvenile) , Goldfinch (Juveniles), Blue Tits, Great Tits and Sparrows, have either been on it or feeding on the bits that fell on the ground around it. So that's not bad. My activity was a bit of a distraction. I'm leaving it out 'till it's all gone so that they can get used to it.
I think I should modify the mix. It held together even though it was a hot day. But more suet should bind it together.

Keith.

Cazzie · #18 (**permalink**) 29-07-2007, 10:25 PM

Sounds like your making a sterling effort there Keith - well done!

I've had problems with shop bought fat balls metling in the heat before now - big globs of fat on the ground and not much interest from the birds....

I'm interested to hear your final recipie and if it stands up to the weird weather we're having atm!

naturelover · #19 (**permalink**) 29-07-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdurbo

suet, lots of crushed nuts, sunflower seeds, some other seeds, muesli,chopped apricots (already stoned the kind you get in a bag and cut them up with scissors) and lard.
are you going to make some?
you will have them flocking after your bird cake!
jen xxx

hi been there done that,my family thought it was a cake for them ha ha.

jdurbo · #20 (**permalink**) 30-07-2007, 05:43 AM

I must say that i've not had my cake melting! its not there long enough and i do tend to put most of them in a little shade when its really hot.
can't wait to see pics of the birds on the cakes!

jen xxx

kshotton45 · #21 (**permalink**) 30-07-2007, 03:29 PM

This is simple .......

BBC - Science & Nature - Birds - Make a bird fat-feeder

Keith.

jdurbo · #22 (**permalink**) 30-07-2007, 03:39 PM

Thats all good but my neighbours are quite posh and i don't think they would like to see milk bottles hanging outside!!

jen xxx

kshotton45 · #23 (**permalink**) 31-07-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Thats all good but my neighbours are quite posh and i don't think they would like to see milk bottles hanging outside!!

jen xxx

The feeders are only being used by the usual suspects at the moment. I get reports from the wife of the activity during the day, as I’m at work . Yesterday we had a Grey Wagtail on the ground picking up the fallen debris. This is a rare visitor to or garden so I’m going to put a suet block on the ground.
The Starlings fight each other to get on ! We’ve had 7 at one time. They better be there at the weekend when I’ve got my camera. Most are juveniles but the parents use it as well. If you can get the light right on an adult Starling you can get a cracking photo of the iridescent plumage.

I’ve got posh neighbours too! But I don’t keep up with the Jones’s – I drag them down to my level !!

Keith.

jdurbo · #24 (**permalink**) 31-07-2007, 07:53 AM

Keith
Looking forward to seeing your photo's!!
A while ago i brought some suet mix in the coconuts and i wash them out and refill them with my mix!
I would try and drag my neighbours to my level but one is a policeman so better not!!

jen xxx

jdurbo · #25 (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 09:26 AM

Keith.
Hows the bird cake going down?
Hoping to have some photos to show over the weekend, have you took any of the birds on our cake yet?
jen xxx