Goldfinches

[-John]

I have two Sunflower heart feeders and one niger feeder. But I only seem to have two or three at most goldfinches on all the feeders at one time. Many goldfinches are in the area with a lot flying around.

They can never seem to feed in large groups and scare each other of before the second pair can come down, not just join that pair on the four port feeder?

I was just wondering why this is that they cannot feed together as other WABers seem to express that their goldfinches all feed in very large groups.

Thanks in advance
John

[brenbee]

hi everyone, I've been watching a Blackbirds nest lately. She laid 3 eggs & they all hatched out. They'd just reached the stage of growing their feathers & were really thriving. this morning they'd all gone! I know the culprit, a Stoat, cos I saw It not far away from the nest. Is'nt nature cruel! I was really upset.

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by -John

I have two Sunflower heart feeders and one niger feeder. But I only seem to have two or three at most goldfinches on all the feeders at one time. Many goldfinches are in the area with a lot flying around.

They can never seem to feed in large groups and scare each other of before the second pair can come down, not just join that pair on the four port feeder?

I was just wondering why this is that they cannot feed together as other WABers seem to express that their goldfinches all feed in very large groups.

Thanks in advance
John

Have you had Goldfinches feeding for long? Maybe they become more confident after a while. Or maybe it's the time of year? They might become more sociable in the Autumn

[tameblackbirds]

Originally Posted by -John

I have two Sunflower heart feeders and one niger feeder. But I only seem to have two or three at most goldfinches on all the feeders at one time. Many goldfinches are in the area with a lot flying around.

They can never seem to feed in large groups and scare each other of before the second pair can come down, not just join that pair on the four port feeder?

I was just wondering why this is that they cannot feed together as other WABers seem to express that their goldfinches all feed in very large groups.

Thanks in advance
John

me too 4 max on feeders not sure why but enjoying them anyway

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by -John

I have two Sunflower heart feeders and one niger feeder. But I only seem to have two or three at most goldfinches on all the feeders at one time. Many goldfinches are in the area with a lot flying around.

They can never seem to feed in large groups and scare each other of before the second pair can come down, not just join that pair on the four port feeder?

I was just wondering why this is that they cannot feed together as other WABers seem to express that their goldfinches all feed in very large groups.

Thanks in advance
John

During winter and spring I was getting anywhere up to twenty goldfinches at the feeders together. Now I'm only getting three or four together at the most often only a couple.

Numbers will build back up again when they have finished rearing the youngsters and the colder weather returns.

[Jenny W]

Yeah, they will be breeding at the moment and so will be holding their own territories and so won't be in such large groups. As has been said, in the autumn and winter they are very gregarious birds and will feed in large flocks with other finch and bunting species.

[-John]

Thank you very much everyone! I only started attracting them in winter and did not have very many then. So I have never really experienced many goldfinches but hopefully they will increase in numbers in winter like everyone has said!

Originally Posted by Jenny W

will feed in large flocks with other finch and bunting species.

Hopefully they'll bring the siskins along with them! Never seen 1 before.

Once again thanks very much
John

[DOXHOPE]

Outside the breding season goldies can be gregarious..same as most common finches, but this changes with the breeding season coming on..