Goldfinch numbers

tigertom · #1 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 08:17 PM

Is it just me or are goldfinch numbers well up at the moment I normally get a good few at this time of year but getting huge Nos on feeders at moment i had at least forty in the garden befor I when out this morning on feeders and also on the ground feeding on spill more on ground than feeders in fact can get 16 on the feeders I have out at the moment, and three of these were not far of full when I left home 2 are 1lt niger and another 1lt sunflower
harts all these nearly empty when I got home

so looks as if feeders been busy all day even though weather has been wet all day

MIKE

Deb London · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 08:27 PM

They are doing very well here. Although they were last year too.

At the moment they are finding wild food I think. And I don't get as many as you Mike. I'm not too sad about that. It gets quite expensive.

Dorts · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 08:34 PM

We normally get good numbers here right through the year, but particlarly in the autumn.
Not so far this year. They have been noticable by their absence.
Dorts.

tigertom · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 08:50 PM

Can I send some of mine to you Deb and Dorts going to cost me arm and leg at this rate

Got three full feeders ready in house now to swap for empty ones hope they take it a bit slower with these three

MIKE

Shrike · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2011, 08:50 PM

I counted a record for my garden of 12 today

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 09-10-2011, 08:41 AM

Goldfinch are increasing in numbers nationally, however the reason you are seeing so many is basically because the population is around its peak at this time of year. The breeding season has just finished so you have all of this seasons young, and the onset of winter, when peak mortality occurs, has not yet set in. They also flock up at this time of year.

Deb London · #7 (**permalink**) 09-10-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigertom

Can I send some of mine to you Deb and Dorts going to cost me arm and leg at this rate

Got three full feeders ready in house now to swap for empty ones hope they take it a bit slower with these three

MIKE

Nooooo, I counted six just now. For something so beautiful, they don't half squabble and hog the feeders. On the other hand Mike, if you have any spare Siskins later in the year, I'll have a couple of those.

actionfinch · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2011, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigertom

Can I send some of mine to you Deb and Dorts going to cost me arm and leg at this rate

Got three full feeders ready in house now to swap for empty ones hope they take it a bit slower with these three

MIKE

I would love to have a couple mind...

please

shenk1 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2011, 10:16 PM

40-50 at a time at the minute

Costing a fortune but worth it.

Had a young un squabbling with a wood pigeon on the feeder today

tigertom · #10 (**permalink**) 09-10-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deb London

Nooooo, I counted six just now. For something so beautiful, they don't half squabble and hog the feeders. On the other hand Mike, if you have any spare Siskins later in the year, I'll have a couple of those.

Don't worry I will keep them up hear good chance you may get some siskins if you have them near you just depends on how much seed is out in wild for them have you got birch or alder near by, and they can and do push the goldfinches off often get redpolls coming in with both Goldy's and siskins come DEC as well