Goldfinches

[Littleted]

During the winter I had a few goldfinches visiting every day, eating hi-energy, no-mess seed. Then they dropped off and I haven't seen them in ages now. I've put out a little nyger feeder hoping to attract them back. Do you think they'll come back? Maybe its just the time of year?

I'm really hoping they come back as they're so beautiful to watch!!

[Emma]

It's probably the time of year. We're averaging 1 at the moment - in the winter we get up to 12 at any one time. Don't worry. They know where you are and they'll come back when they need your help :)

[georgie]

We have four or five goldfinches visiting at the moment, and these include a couple of juveniles.

But we always seem to get loads more visiting in winter - I'd just assume that you are experiencing a normal seasonal variation.

I notice that in our garden the goldfinches and sparrows seem to visit en masse - do they 'flock' together for safety (or another reason)? I don't know why they do though - they seem to spend most of their time squabbling with each other!:confused:

[jillypud]

I've been trying to attract goldfinches to my garden for ages without success. They're about as I quite frequently see and hear them fly overhead. I'm guessing that they'll come when they're ready. :rolleyes:

[Emma]

Hi, Jillypud!

They'll find you eventually - and once they know there's a steady supply of food they'll be regulars.

You've probably tried nyger seed; it's supposedly a Goldfinch magnet. Ours do it eat it but their first choice is the sunflower hearts.

[optrex]

I get 2 goldfinches visiting my garden for around 2 weeks of the year, in late spring. Dont see sight nor sound of them at any other time, but they do like the nyger seed, but they are equally fond of the kibbled sunflower hearts.

[Pat]

Could this be due to the finch disease mentioned on other threads......