Goldfinches

[elcee45]

I have had up to 30 goldfinches visiting the garden for some time now, but this past few days there is no sign of them, can anyone tell me do they migrate and if they do.... when.

[rowanwitch]

I think they move around a bit and I believe we get some from the continent in bad winters but they do gather in flocks this time of year so they tend to arrive en masse feed a bit and move on...

[ladybirder]

They'll have found a restaurant with better food than yours:-) Don't worry, they'll be back. Lucky you I've been trying to attract them for ages.

[elcee45]

Thanks rowanwich and ladybirder, I hope they do come back I have just ordered and received 25kg niger seeds for them!!! Never mind, the coal tits are have a feast. Both my neighbour and I have niger seed feeders and they are lovely birds to watch.

[rowanwitch]

you put niger out they will be back and with a bit of luck siskins and bramblings too especially if you sprinkle a bit on the ground

[wildwood]

I found them to be particularly attracted to cosmos flowers. While they are flowering one or two finches seem to visit every day but when the flowers start setting seeds they come in droves. To prolong the visits, Cosmos can be sown at two weeks intervals to stagger the seed setting.