Yellow Finches

[formariz 11,987]

This year we have an invasion of beautiful Yellow Finches. There are dozens constantly all over specially at Wife’s feeders.

[ebinmaine 67,612]

Can't tell from the pic but that might be what's called an American Goldfinch. 

My grandmother was the main influence to me in being interested in birds and bird watching. She used to get pretty happy every spring when those would come back to Orange Massachusetts in good numbers.

[formariz 11,987]

It’s just such a beautiful happy scene when there are dozens of them together. They seem to chase all the sparrows away since there never are any other birds feeding when they are there.

[ebinmaine 67,612]

Absolutely agreed.

For Trina and I it's interesting to see what species of birds seem to be in control whenever they're at the feeder.

 

 

[lynnmor 7,308]

Goldfinch usually feed at my two feeders that contain nyjer seed.  They are picky feeders and won't touch the seed I had left over from last year, instead they do some feeding at the other feeders that contain the usual mixture.  If you ever buy nyjer seed, there is usually a date on the bag.  I need to buy fresh if they can get a stimulus check.

[formariz 11,987]

3 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

Goldfinch usually feed at my two feeders that contain nyjer seed.  They are picky feeders and won't touch the seed I had left over from last year, instead they do some feeding at the other feeders that contain the usual mixture.  If you ever buy nyjer seed, there is usually a date on the bag.  I need to buy fresh if they can get a stimulus check.

Good point. I did buy a new 50Lb bag of seed that may have something to do with it. I will check for the type of seeds it contains.

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

Gold finch is the lowa state bird

[roadapples 6,983]

My grandmother didn't know the proper name. She called them "little salad birds" ...

[ebinmaine 67,612]

58 minutes ago, roadapples said:

little salad birds

Sounds good to me

[squonk 41,155]

3 hours ago, formariz said:

It’s just such a beautiful happy scene when there are dozens of them together. They seem to chase all the sparrows away since there never are any other birds feeding when they are there.

I got a crap ton of them. As  I type there are 7 out there and it's snowing. They hate the cold. They love the tiny huskless sunflower seeds. I watched one argue with a sparrow at one of the feeders this morning! 

Edited April 22, 2021 by squonk

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,326]

We use to have yellow finches here , had feeder set , loved looking out the window at them. About 3 years ago they just disappeared . Non in the neighborhood . 

[squonk 41,155]

What were you feeding them Jim? 

 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,326]

Feeding them , cleaning the feeders , even had a small bird bath for all of them . A one point I had 3 feeders with different types of food for the different birds. A lot of neighbors commented on the disappearance but we have never figured it out. .  When the finches left I finally quit feeding birds. Feed just got too expensive . Still have plenty of birds that feed in the yard and bushes. 

[ebinmaine 67,612]

Trina hung a couple more feeders today. 

A few minutes ago there were a batch of feathered friends having a snack. 

 

Saw some of interest so I had her pop out @WHX24 Jim's picture taker. 

 

 

 

[formariz 11,987]

I got to get a better camera. Today the Mallard ducks arrived and are eating the seeds that drop on the floor.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

For whatever reason, this year it seems that this year there many more American Goldies.  We hang the nyjer seed socks and you can't see the socks through the swarm.

 

AND the hummingbirds are about two weeks early.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

On 4/22/2021 at 1:09 PM, The Tuul Crib said:

Gold finch is the lowa state bird

 

New Jersey also.

[ebinmaine 67,612]

7 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

hummingbirds

None here yet. Usually right around 1st o May. 

Sapsuckers were very early though. 

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

23 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Usually right around 1st o May.

 

About the same here, they've been here for about a week and a half already.

[squonk 41,155]

Bunch of them raising a ruckus today. Here's 2 of them

 

[squonk 41,155]

Sitting here watching the Goldfinches outside. They have dogfights around the feeder. 

[formariz 11,987]

Just now, squonk said:

Sitting here watching the Goldfinches outside. They have dogfights around the feeder. 

Same here. They are feisty little guys. No one else eats when they are here.  Only the Mallard ducks on the ground eating the big sunflower seeds.

[squonk 41,155]

New bird at the feeder this morning. a male Rose Breasted Grosbeak! I have never ever seen one of these! 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,612]

2 minutes ago, squonk said:

New bird at the feeder this morning. a male Rose Breasted Grosbeak! I have never ever seen one of these! 

 

 

Always been one of my favorite birds.

When I was a teen in the late 80s in Western Massachusetts those were very rare.

Nowadays here in Southern Maine we have two or three nesting pairs most years. Last week we heard the evening grosbeaks and a couple days ago Trina got pictures of them. We haven't seen any rose breasted grosbeaks yet this year though.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

37 minutes ago, squonk said:

Rose Breasted Grosbeak!

 

We get a few migrants every year but so far this year have not spotted any. 

 

They only stay for a day or two at the most and then continue their journey up to Eric's house.

We're right on the southern edge of their summer breeding range, but NY should have permanent residents.

 

Throw some black oil sunflower into your seed mix and you may coax them into staying.  I believe they prefer 'platform' feeding also (as do Cardinals) so you may consider that in addition to the tube feeder.

 

If you've seen the male, there's likely a female too, but they are very different looking.  So much so that you might not even notice it among the sparrows and finches.

 

Edited May 5, 2021 by Jeff-C175