Bullfinches

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 01:50 PM

I'd never seen a bullfinch until we moved to our current house 3 years ago. After a few weeks I kind of took them for granted because they were always on the feeders and in the garden - definitely 2 pairs but sometimes I've seen up to 6 birds in total (I guess that is including young).

They look almost tropical in their bright plumage (male) although they haven't got the most tuneful of songs

I now realise that not many people get to see these birds because they are so "shy".... mine aren't at all shy! in fact they fight with the greenfinches and other birds for the best bird seed.

I wondered whether other people had many in their gardens? or am I just VERY, VERY LUCKY!

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger

I'd never seen a bullfinch until we moved to our current house 3 years ago. After a few weeks I kind of took them for granted because they were always on the feeders and in the garden - definitely 2 pairs but sometimes I've seen up to 6 birds in total (I guess that is including young).

They look almost tropical in their bright plumage (male) although they haven't got the most tuneful of songs

I now realise that not many people get to see these birds because they are so "shy".... mine aren't at all shy! in fact they fight with the greenfinches and other birds for the best bird seed.

I wondered whether other people had many in their gardens? or am I just VERY, VERY LUCKY!

Yes-you are VERY VERY LUCKY and I'm VERY VERY ENVIOUS!

galanthus · #3 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 02:08 PM

We have 2 pairs. Usually the females are far less shy, however, the males have taken to bathing in the top section of the waterfall, they nearly fill the area lol. They'll be munching away on the plum blossom very soon. Gorgeous birds.

matt_xyz · #4 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 02:53 PM

you are both VERY VERY lucky!!

I'd would love bullfinches in my garden

Matt

Lincs Yellowbelly · #5 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 02:58 PM

You are very lucky to have Bullfinch, I keep hoping that the sunflower hearts will attract them eventually. We are getting more and more Chaffinch so maybe a Bully will follow

My local patch has a few Bullfinch and a lake I fish has the best chance of seeing a Bullfinch anywhere I know, they are everywhere down there

NickCantle · #6 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 03:35 PM

I think we had ONE bullfinch ONCE

I didn't even see him

nightshade · #7 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 04:13 PM

We quite often get a pair in the garden, one feeds the other watches in turn

tigger · #8 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 04:33 PM

We feed ours on sunflower hearts... they seem to love them. They especially like the feeder which is in a bush. It gives them a bit more protection from the sparrowhawk.....

glsammy · #9 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

you are both VERY VERY lucky!!

I'd would love bullfinches in my garden

Matt

Snap! I'd be the happiest bloke around here if I could get Bullfinches, or Goldfinches, or Sparrows or...you get the idea!!

Pete Collins · #10 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 05:10 PM

I think anyone who has beautiful bullfinches visiting their garden regularly is very, very lucky! They used to be regular visitor's in my parents' garden when I was a child 30-40 years ago, now they're seen maybe once a year.

Going slightly off topic, I have seen bullfinches 6-7 times on my long walks in the countryside in the last couple of months, which is more than I normally see them in a year! I have been walking only in the Chiltern Hills during this period, whereas usually I'd also walk elsewhere in Beds, Bucks and Herts, so perhaps they are more common there. I don't think so, as I've not noticed this before. Are bullfinches on the increase generally? Or have I just been lucky to see more than I usually do?

smartie · #11 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 05:57 PM

It would be great if they were on the increase - they are only very occasional visitors to our garden and a cause of great excitement every time.

galanthus · #12 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 06:11 PM

we were walking around one of our local canal-side nature reserves today and there were around 6-8 pairs right outside the hide

Few brambling there with the chaffinches too..... obviously it's the one day I didn't take my camera

Elizabeth B · #13 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 06:11 PM

We've been seeing two bullfinches regularly in the garden for the last couple of months - sometimes a male and female, sometimes two males, and on one occasion two males and a female.

We saw a pair regularly in the spring, and later there were four juveniles on the seed tray under the hanging feeders. We are wondering if some of the family were here yesterday - there were 3 males and a female together. Two of the males were noticeably less bright than the third - could these have been two of the "youngsters" from the 2007 brood?

aeshna5 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 07:06 PM

I've only twice seen them in my garden. First time was flying through + the other briefly in the birch. There are small numbers later, I wish they were more regular as they are splendid birds.

tigger · #15 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 07:46 PM

Although many of you don't seem to be seeing them all the time, it sounds like you do at least see them when they are out (which I guess is a good sign). I think I will try to get some film of mine in the garden and post it to my online diary. They seem a very popular bird! Lets hope they get off the RSPB Red List soon.

Scarlet Pimpernel · #16 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 11:25 PM

I have lived at my house for 21yrs and have only seen 1 in 1997....when it snowed, it was a shame that it was before digital camera's were available at a resonable price so no visual record of the bird!

Cheers Jacob

coasty · #17 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 08:53 AM

Now I am feeling lucky took the dog out for a walk yesterday there was a group of about 20+ bullfinches in the hedge allong the side of the golf course. My 10 yr old daughter who was with me couldnt believe they were british birds they looked so colourful. Glad I had my tiny 8X20 praktica bins with me. and no I arent getting extravagent they were free with frosties packet tops about 10 yrs ago...

ron1863 · #18 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 10:08 AM

We have lots of Bullfinches in our area but I have never seen one in the garden. I see small flocks of them in late Autumn and Winter feeding in the hedgerows but very rarely see them in Summer.

tigger · #19 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 09:34 PM

After reading everyones reply to my post, I decided to film the bullfinches in my garden. So I sat down in front of the computer this afternoon, and kept pressing the record button everytime one came onto the feeder in front of my CCTV camera. I've split the film up into roughly 5 second clips, first showing the male, then the female, etc. Hope you like it. Bullfinch Footage

Jane

Deer Stalker · #20 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 09:40 PM

Nice one tigger.

I don't get them in the garden but sometimes see them across in the trees opposite & when out up the Forest.

Seajay · #21 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 09:56 PM

I've been back in Lincoln now for almost 20 years and have never seen a bullfinch in that time (though others do see them now and again). In the sixties they were very common. I would so love to see them again - I'd even let them on my fruit trees!

The Black Rabbit · #22 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 04:50 AM

Thanks for the video Jane!
I guess we're lucky also. 2 males and a female (together) regular visitors to our humble feeder, and nowhere near any bush?!
I love 'em - even more than the Goldfinches!
Cheers
Doug

dmclean2 · #23 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 11:04 AM

You are very lucky Jane , I suppose I am too far into town to be blessed with Bullfinches although I get Chaffinches and Goldfinches , I had 34 goldies in the autumn before they migrated.
Couldn't get your vid to work?
Duncan