WILD bird feeding is now a major competitive industry with all the usual trappings of advertiser-speak.
One describes niger seed as having "tonic releasing properties and is terrifically oil-rich which is just what Goldfinches are looking for".
They're right.
Goldfinches have dramatically increased in numbers during the last 30 years and especial
ly those staying with us during the winter months.
Many Goldfinches hit the Costa del Sol during the midwinter months and thousands of them have been heading south during the last three months and seen flying out over the English Channel in huge flocks from Bird Observatories such as Portland Bill.
However, large numbers choose to remain in this country during the winter months and you have every chance of attracting them into your garden, yard or outside your flat window.
You need to add to the usual garden bird feeder recipe of peanuts and fat balls by investing in a bag of niger seed and, importantly, if the tiny seeds are not to fall to the floor, a special niger seed feeder which can be obtained from several pet shops or Leighton Moss Nature Reserve shop.
Some people have found sunflower hearts equally effective.
It may take some time for the birds to find your supply. Don't be disappointed and take the niger feeder down if nothing has appeared for a couple of months.
It only takes one bird, which often soon becomes two, then three and so on.
How do they tell each other? They roost together at night in a nice warm bush and exchange 'gen' on where the best food is!
Goldfinches have quite a history. The habit of eating thistle seeds led to many early depictions relating to the Passion and Christ's Crown of Thorns – see, for example, Cima's Madonna and Child.
It was also regarded as a 'saviour' bird in the form of a charm to ward off the plague! Hence 'charm' of Goldfinches currently used to describe a flock.
Along with most familiar birds which produce a noise, there is a musical reference in the form of a 'riff' in Vivaldi's Concerto in D Major for Flute.
On the downside, Greenfinches have really been suffering in the last three years with many people reporting deserted feeders or much reduced numbers.
This is due to the trichomonad parasite which clogs up the digestive tracts and disables and eventually kills the victim. Greenfinch seems to be the only small bird which has been seriously affected. Spread of this disease can be reduced by regular cleaning of feeders and well-used perching areas nearby.
You may be very lucky and receive a visit from one or two Blackcaps.
These have been recorded in many gardens during the winter in recent years and we are interested in ALL records.
They are most regular in the larger gardens with lots of trees and bushes - e.g. Silverdale area - but have been seen at various places in Lancaster, Morecambe, Torrisholme and especially the Heysham area.
The males are the only 'blackcap', the females have a 'browncap'. A Blackcap sightings board will be in place at Leighton Moss if you want to enter any sightings there, otherwise please send to me – PMrsh123@aol.com – or post on the Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society website. Thanks very much.
There is a slight hint of a small number of one of our regular request species – Waxwing – reaching the country. If many more do appear before the next posting, please send us any sightings.
Anyone wanting to get involved in garden surveys please access these two websites:http://www.bto.org /gbw or, if you want to take part in the RSPB Bird Garden Birdwatch on 30-31 January 2010, http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
* CONGRATULATIONS to Sue Cotton on winning the Eastern Crowned Warbler competition.
For the Christmas period quiz - Which is the odd one out: Wren, Song Thrush, Robin, Blackbird, Nightingale?
There is more than one answer here and more than one reason for the same answer (e.g. Wren – hint: where has Jon Carter gone to live?)
Try and come up with as many answers and reasons as you can. E-mail answers and any Blackcap sightings to
