May 2010 - And now...Goldfinches

Sunday 9th: Well...we've had the Greenfinch and the Chaffinch...now we have the Goldfinch! Yes we've had the odd Goldfinch touching-down in the garden once in a while, but today was the second day in succession that a pair of Goldfinches alighted onto the niger feeder...and stayed for more than 90 seconds!

They are the most picturesque of birds, second only the Puffins, you may know better. In fact they stayed for a full 5 minutes and looked as if they owned the place! Not a care in the world as they perched on the feeder, looking around. Other birds didn't seem to worry them except when the odd Starling got too close, and our garden is always busy with House Sparrows, Starlings, Wood Pigeons, Feral Pigeons, Blackbirds etc.

The Greenfinches are becoming more of a regular visitor these days as can be seen from the latest images taken by Melanie.These are fairly robust birds and will bully other slightly-built birds off the feeders!

A couple of Blue Tits have been resuming their visits recently and can often be seen on the peanut-feeder.

As usual the Blackbirds are still visiting the kitchen for mealworms along with a host of House Sparrows who tend to congregate in the bush just outside the back door. The female House Sparrows tend to be the more adventurous and are always hassling the Blackbirds when they are feeding! But we have noticed that a couple of male House Sparrows have now lucked-up courage and are joining their partners at the bowl of mealworms!