2 bullfinches in the garden

[gillwrig]

Hi All

Quite excited today as I spotted two bullfinches in the trees in my garden. I was only wishing that I'd get some the other day and here they are!

I was just wondering what is the best type of feeder to encourage them into the garden ? Do they prefer ground feeding or can they use the hanging feeders?

Hopefully I will attract a flock as large as the siskins and goldies we have currently.

Yay

Gill

[squishy]

they tend to go for the hanging feeders, which they will take anything off. i've seen them go for the mixed seed, the peanuts and the niger at different times, so you can't really go wrong. more of everything is what you need

[gillwrig]

I'm suprised when you said hanging feeders - they don't look as if they are perchers!!!

I've got 3 niger feeders - a 2 port, a 6 port and a 20 port in various places, three sunflower seed feeders, a bird table, 2 bird feeding stations and various fat balls, bird cakes and suet logs etc.

Do you think this will be enough or do I need more - any excuse to put up more feeders.

Gill

[Tobermorey]

Gill - you seem to have it pretty well covered with the feeders. I've never managed to get them on my feeders, they prefer to eat seeds from fruits that are still on the hedges.

[RobinP]

They like the sunflower hearts, in feeders with a rail around the bottom they can perch on...

[Pippa]

They come here for Sunflower hearts Gill and i have a little mesh tray halfway up the feeding station pole. They seem to prefer that.Back home they used the tables.I am looking forward to them using my feeders though and do have one like Robins so here's hoping..

[gillwrig]

Lets hope they can get a look in between all the siskins ! I mean we had 1 one day and the next there was 5 and now there is at least 20. They eat everything - nuts , suet, mealworms the lot!

Workin from home today so I have my bins close at hand!

[Stewy]

Lovely birds, only ever seen one once down at Hayling Island if I recall rightly, would love to have them in the garden.

[Elizabeth B]

We've been getting the occasional visit from a male bullfinch for some while now, but today we had a male and a female. The male was on the sunflower hearts feeder - but he's so plump that sometimes he can't quite keep both feet on the perch and reach into the "port" to get the food, so he then flaps his wings to keep his balance. The female had no problem when she was on the black sunflower seed feeder.

A couple of years ago a pair brought their 4 youngsters into the garden! Let's hope we'll see a family this year!

[Pippa]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth B

A couple of years ago a pair brought their 4 youngsters into the garden! Let's hope we'll see a family this year!

Wow, that sounds fab.To get the youngsters in has got to be a big compliment Elizabeth.

We have had several young ones in,in the Finch family but not Bullfinches.