Goldfinch concern

FUDGEY · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 05:42 PM

Over the last few weeks I have had a steady build up of various birds to the feeders. Before the snow & bitterly cold nights the top three in numbers were goldfinch (approx 50) chaffinch (approx 30) and brambling (approx 30) the last two days I've noticed the goldfinch numbers drastically fall to about 6 while the rest have remained stable. My concern is that the minus 14 temps at night have decimated my population. Anybody got thoughts on this? There is never a daylight hour that the food is not there for them.

shenk1 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 05:49 PM

Most of ours have disappeared too ( only getting 6 or so as opposed to 20+ before christmas) but our neighbours went for a walk down the canal and saw loads in the trees so hopefully thats where they all are. At the end of the day,and looking at other threads,we are all trying our best to help them and I can only say keep up the good work feeding them and nudging everyone with little reminders and tips.

SheffieldLass · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 05:50 PM

Possibly a neighbour is now putting food out and there is less competition there. I noticed today that my greenfinches have deserted me, but I've run out of sunflower and all they've got is hemp. So I'm fairly sure they are feeding elsewhere where there are sunflower seeds on the menu.

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 06:49 PM

I suspect they have moved on rather than perished. Many of our birds do move south to France, Spain + Portugal, though your birds may have just moved more locally.

Today I saw plenty feeding in alders + birds were chirpily singing away.

wildliferescuer · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 06:50 PM

I think that round here & in other places where snow has been covering the ground for some time, many species, particularly birds of prey but I am sure the small birds as well are starting to starve. We have had 4 call-outs today to starving owls & 4 buzzards in the past few days, all of which are starving & freezing. All their prey (mice, voles etc) are hidden underneath the snow. High energy foods must be put out in as many gardens as possible for the small birds, although I appreciate that unfortunately people can't do much to help the birds of prey.

SheffieldLass · #6 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildliferescuer

High energy foods must be put out in as many gardens as possible for the small birds, although I appreciate that unfortunately people can't do much to help the birds of prey.

Except for sparrowhawks ... they're visiting the bird feeding areas too, and probably doing ok, catching nice well-fed birds.

FUDGEY · #7 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 08:29 PM

think a lot of birds are dying too. I found a dead fieldfare yesterday under a tree. I think it had died while roosting through the night. I placed it in a spot where I hoped a fox or BoP would find it & today it was gone with fox prints leading & leaving from the spot. At least it didn't go to waste.