goldfinch feeding

[paddy]

In view of the mixed views on what now appears to be a survey, it may be that isolation may encourage goldies in. The next move might be to bring the nyger feeder progressively closer, and see if that confidence is maintained once they get used to feeding here..... In it's current location though, they are almost constantly at the feeder - about 10 in total, and i never had anything like that last year.

[Davy Crockett]

Originally Posted by Pippa

My Goldies have 4 feeders about a metre from my front window and they don't appear nervous at all.We have lots of thistle in the area so the Goldies come in for the Sunflower hearts which they love.We have about 20 at a time and i am thrilled.

We have a large number of cats around they get a shower of water if I can get near them sorry to all cat lovers before you get on my back about being cruel.

[LCPete]

Hi our Goldfinches are in a group of about 6 and dont mind sharing with the other birds
we've got 2 pole type feeder hangers with niger mixed seed and fat balls
Pete

[Fireweed]

We have a six-port nyjer seed feeder on an extended pole. The goldfinches can sit there for quite a while. However, there is definitely a pecking order! The higher perches are prefered. And occasionally one goldfinch already feeding will chase off another one showing too much interest in it's perch, even though in doing so it in fact gives up its perch!

[Fireweed]

Re. starlings. I love their squabbling!

[Susie]

I put the fat balls, which the starlings love, well away from the other feeders because the starlings squabble and fight and scare the other birds off.

[Fireweed]

Yes, starlings put off other birds. Ring-necked parakeets won't tolerate other species on the same feeder (they don't always tolerate each other). And no other species gets in the way of a Greater Spotted Woodpecker, they are the kings of the peanut feeder!

[AlphaZeroOne]

I have had as many as 20 plus Goldfinches feeding just a few feet from our patio door. They que up patiently in the trees and wait their turn on the feeder. I have provided nyger seed but they simply ignore it completely preferring instead the main food (high energy) and feeder. They don't appear to be timid at all and are often to be seen squabbling with each other and there seems to be a clear pecking order.

Not too fond of the Starlings. I let them have a feed and then find that if I shoo them off and stay in the vacinity they tend to fly off to other feeding grounds after a few minutes (each one waiting to see who blinks first, them or me!).

Goldfinches have to be my favourite garden visitor. Its not surprising that they are collectively known as a 'charm' of Goldfinches and they certainly charm any visitor that may have dropped around for a cup of coffee and see them feeding.

I often place my DSLR camera just a few feet (4 or 5 )from the Goldfinches on the feeder, which I control remotely. Even though the shutter release is loud, it doesn't seem to alarm the Goldfinches at all and of course they make wonderful photographic subjects.

[Jez]

Goldfinches love the Catkins on my Silver Birch. If anyone is thinking of planting new trees and wants to provide for these beautiful Winter birds then Silver Birch one to consider.