goldfinches

piedsangel · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 04:21 PM

i have about 5 goldfinches that visit my new feeder everyday, me and my kids love watching them and would like to hear if theres any way we can help with nesting etc, i have a wide variety of birds from wood pigeons, bluetits and even a pair a kestrals nearby. any advice on what we can do to help would be greatly apprieciated. im new to this! thanks

Gaza · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 08:08 PM

Hi Piedsangel

Cant advise on how best to help with nesting, but it sounds like you and your children, are enjoying watching them.

I can remember the first time we had Goldfinches arrive at our feeders. It was a magical moment. !
Still love to see these now, even though they turn up here by the dozen.

What are you feeding yours? Nyger ? Sunflower hearts ?

posie · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 08:14 PM

..Hello and Welcome to WAB... our Goldfinches have already nested and produced babies, who have fledged, but we are on the South Coast, and if you are in more Northern area maybe they are later, I don't know about that. Someone will surely come in and advise you soon.Anyway again Welcome..

astarsdad · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-2010, 08:42 PM

Hi,
In my experience goldfinches nest at a height above 2m. The nest is usually in the top branches of a small tree. I had one nest in an elderberry tree one year. If you have small trees in your garden you may be lucky. I understand that they will feed their young with sunflower hearts which they have mashed, having some may entice them to nest.
Terry

piedsangel · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 07:43 AM

hi all, thanks for the welcome responses, if im honest ive never done the bird thing before and im relatively new to all the wildlife in our garden, my son started with animals in our enviroment at school, and since then we've started seeing lots more, because we're looking. the goldie's in our garden are eating a black seed, im cant be sure what it is. theres a variety of different seeds out on the hanger and they seem to prefer this. the blue tits and coal tit's seem to enjoy the same seed as the green finches do. even the wood pigeons come down. the sparrow hawk that sits in the big willow tree in a neighbouring garden has a field day... ill find out what the seed is next time i refill... thanks again

artdemole · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 09:46 AM

Nyjer seed is very good for the goldfinch.They also like grass seed and dandelion seed. So leave your dandelion seed heads for them.

woblybot · #7 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 06:29 PM

i noticed a couple of goldfinches flying near my lounge window. when i watched they have nested in the clematis right by the back door, and despite my sons football efforts in the garden have held their ground, and are still nesting there. im not sure if they will have young? but am watching carefully . first bird that has nested in my garden and im so pleased, they are lovely little birds