Goldfinches

The end of the thistle season draws nigh, and for the Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) this is bad news. Thistles need to ‘explode’ in order to spread their seeds and the last month of record wet weather has certainly not helped them.

As a gardener of some note Mrs C is pleased not to have seen the usual cloudbursts of white seeds parachuting onto her carefully weed-free vegetable beds. The small ‘Green’ in front of the house causes a few words to be exchanged between Mrs C and myself – I look after this area of wildflower meadow which has not quite achieved special status as a site of scientific interest and I am about to embark on the annual cut – and the sooner the better says the gardener !

The Goldfinches on the other hand are pleased that I leave things until late in the season when most of the wild-flowers have dropped their seeds so that they can have a final feast of thistle seeds. My vintage tractor grunts mightily as we struggle to get the cutter through the rich thatch of vetch, docks, thistle and the like and the ground behind is happily covered with seeds attracting the neighbourhood’s birds for an autumnal feast. Not least are the flocks of Goldfinch which make a colourful flash – but soon, what then - dandelions and thistles seem to be their favourites and that season is limited.

The order goes in to TWOOTZ for niger seed and sunflower hearts which are the favourites on the bird table for these harlequin dressed favourites – although I note that the drabber house sparrows enjoy them as well – and all are welcome here……..