Bullfinch increase

Lincs Yellowbelly · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 08:52 AM

Has anybody else noticed a increase in Bullfinch numbers over the past few years??

Where I generally watch the wildlife they certainly have. Around 5/6 years ago there was a single pair there, if you were very lucky you'd hear or see them occassionally. Over the last few years they seem to have been very successful with their breeding

only yesterday I saw at least a dozen Bullfinch feeding on berries

and you can't go there without hearing them.

John

RobS · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 09:16 AM

In the Rob S Local Nature Reserve Bullfinch remains a major rarity with only two occurrences in 12 years. However the second sighting, last year, was of three together so hope springs eternal!

They must be one of the most underated birds in the UK - beautiful.

Rob S

RobinP · #3 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 11:56 AM

I've got loads of 'bullys' they produced 2 offspring last year and 4 this year. There seem to be three separate groups that visit the sunflower heart feeders so an accurate count is not easy but there must be 12+. They are fairly safe from the felines because they never touch down on the grass.

Robin

Gatekeeper · #4 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 12:52 PM

I've only had 2 Bullfinch visits to my garden, though they are in good numbers about 1.5 miles away.

actionfinch · #5 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 01:29 PM

this site is amazing .. really spooky in fact.
i saw my first bullfinch today...

Stinky Bob · #6 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 03:39 PM

Never seen a bullfinch in the wild

thebeard · #7 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 03:57 PM

i dont know about 'in recent years' as i'v only been recording wildlife for a year, but in the past few weeks there has been a noticeable increase of them - i suppose thats the case with most small passerines though, a lot more active at this time of year

RKB · #8 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 04:26 PM

Apparently not: BTO - Breeding Birds of the Wider Countryside: Bullfinch

If anything, it's getting worse for them in recent years.

shenk1 · #9 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 04:32 PM

Just watching a pair feeding now

At the moment we have 4 pairs and 6 young visit regularly.Thats the most young we've seen but we did once have 12 pairs in the garden

(that was a one off and 3-5 pairs is normal - based on 7 years)

shenk1

Brocakat · #10 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 07:08 PM

My theory.... they are 'pests' of Culvasted/Managed Orchards.....in those situations the owners can apply to the Min.of Agriculture (& do/did ) to be able to 'control' ( i.e kill) Bullfinches, as they LOVE to eat fruit buts of Apples, Plums, etc etc

Nowadays, there's a high proportion of neglected orchards. So- no 'control' .

Yes I appreciate that a lot of these orchards will have now been grubbed-out
and are now simply fields or new Housing Developments - but I bet there's still more than enough neglected orchards to cater for the Bullfinch needs - plus - they aren't being persecuted .

Thoughts?