Do finches migrate?

HanDiiMaNz · #1 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 11:51 AM

Do finches migrate south to countries like France and Spain for the winter? Or maybe even southen England? I've been wondering this for a little while because I don't have any finches in my garden or around my area, I haven't even heard one! (ever). Would winter be my best chance of me attracting finches?

Thanks, Charlie.

Ferret · #2 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 01:29 PM

Yes Charlie they do but how far and where to depends on the species Brambling, Redpolls, Siskin, Chaffinches, Crossbills and possibly others come to the UK variously from Northern & Eastern Europe, Iceland and maybe further a field. Others such as Greenfinches and Goldfinches will carry out short or local migrations from one part of the country to another in response to food availability and local weather conditions. Some will also go south to Mediterranean Europe, the Greenfinches and Goldfinch’s you see in your garden and local countryside during the summer may not be the same birds you see in the winter.

Just read you question properly instead of just the strap line, so to continue, you should be able to attract Greenfinches, Chaffinches and Goldfinches in the London area without to much trouble. Some feeders with sunflower seeds (I personally find the black ones best) sunflower hearts and maybe some nyger seed should work, a low level bird table will help attract the Chaffinches as they like to feed on the ground. If you are lucky you may also attract Brambling and Siskin.

Ferret

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HanDiiMaNz

Do finches migrate south to countries like France and Spain for the winter? Or maybe even southen England? I've been wondering this for a little while because I don't have any finches in my garden or around my area, I haven't even heard one! (ever). Would winter be my best chance of me attracting finches?

Thanks, Charlie.

I'll be amazed if there aren't any Greenfinches Chaffinches or Goldfinches near you- all are widespread around London away from the most built-up areas (though are in all the central parks). Perhaps you need to go around with a more experienced bird person who can pick up their calls for you.

HanDiiMaNz · #4 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I'll be amazed if there aren't any Greenfinches Chaffinches or Goldfinches near you- all are widespread around London away from the most built-up areas (though are in all the central parks). Perhaps you need to go around with a more experienced bird person who can pick up their calls for you.

Tell a lie, I did infact hear a chaffinch about 2-4 months ago it stayed around calling away for around 2 months and I haven't heard it since. I also live about a mile away from here: clayhall woods - Google Maps

and can see it from where I live!

I have always been interested in finches and have listened to their calls on the RSPB website, I would know straight away if I ever hearded it outside. As for food, I have two feeders filled with sunflower hearts, one with nuts and the other with a mixed seed, I often get a vast amount of tits and sparrows but never any finches.

harley · #5 (**permalink**) 27-11-2009, 12:14 PM

In the US we are sold finch food that is basically just thistle seeds. We put the feeders next to the other feeders and the golden finches rarely feed on the usual fare and congregate at the thistles. best regards, harley bissell

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 27-11-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley

In the US we are sold finch food that is basically just thistle seeds. We put the feeders next to the other feeders and the golden finches rarely feed on the usual fare and congregate at the thistles. best regards, harley bissell

Welcome to our UK forum. Don't know if you realise (apologies if you do!

) but your American Goldfinches are a totally different (+looking) bird to ours in the UK, though they are closely related.

eenymac · #7 (**permalink**) 28-11-2009, 12:37 PM

At work - Green Park, Reading - we have a good amount of Goldfinches all year round, but in the last month or so the numbers have dramatically increased. I now see flocks of around 3 dozen or more every day in the trees around the car parks.
I'll have to stake it out sometime and sit in the car with the long lens. Trying to creep closer is always a problem as they are so skittish.

shaun a · #8 (**permalink**) 28-11-2009, 05:13 PM

I think you all are so very lucky I live on the cheshire/Derbyshire boarder and don't get any Chaffs,Goldfinches or any other finches for that matter to my garden, or none that I have seen. I have tried putting sunflower seeds out and Nyger but nothing I do have a healthy flock of long tailed tits which pass through my garden each morning and afternoon like clockwork this time of year,but I can't seem to attract any finches

AndrewB · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 09:58 AM

Activity in my garden has dropped from around half a dozen greenfinches a day in recent weeks to almost zero in the past few days as the weather has got colder, so it seems like they may have departed for the winter.

I must admit however I was beginning to get a little concerned about the cost of feeding them as they were going through a tube of sunflower seeds a day!

posie · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 10:29 AM

I am near the south coast(UK) and we see lots of Goldfinches when the thistles seed (that's obviously not this time of year), so I would guess that thistle seeds would be an attraction to goldfinches in the UK. I did not know that you can buy it. I will get some to try, even though the goldfinches do eat some of the other food, with specialised feeding we may help more of them in winter....and have the pleasure of seeing more,,,Posie...