Thistle Feeder for goldfinches

[asza001]

Where is best position in garden for thistle feeder? Some say in 'exposed' place or some say 'close to house & fence.'
I want to place it where newcomers will feel safe & secure, as have other birds (small & lge magpies etc) plus odd neighbour cat occasionally. Shld it be up high or on a washing line for example?? Please help this little bird..Tweat you!

[madmaggot]

It needs to be in a fairly sheltered position near to some cover (a hedge/shrub/tree) so that the birds can make a dash to safety if necessary. Not in an open space because it then makes the small birds an easy target for sparrow hawks etc.
No reason why it shouldn't be close to the house if you have a suitable spot there.
Try to make it inaccessible to the cat as well, so needs to be fairly high up out of leaping distance, remember cats can leap to 7' or so. They tend to wait until the bird is just leaving the feeder and then leap.
You should get lots of finches to your thistle feeder. I love gold finches, they're my favourite garden visitor.

[lankeela]

If you buy a niger seed feeder with a tray at the bottom they have some protection from cats jumping up and it also catches any seed that falls out.

Place it near a hedge or bush so they can quickly take cover. Then watch the little b*ggers fight like mad with each other over the seed!