Garden Pictures Pictures by bonkersbon (134 photos)

what are you feeding them on.............

Specifically niger seeds which similar to the thistle seeds they eat.Perhaps more commonly sold as thistle seed for wild birds.You have to put in special feeders as seed so fine would fall out of mesh feeders.Nearly always coloured blue as in photo think the birds are colour sensing these .Originally put one up they began coming in increasing numbers put another up flock of 14 plus siskins joined.

how lovely.................

Bit of a bird brain me but we get such a variety of birds here hard to be anything else.

I would love to attract goldfinches to the garden - they are such pretty birds.

Hi again Sid re your other question you can clearly see the markings of siskin as oppossed to greenfich.Actually Sid you could probably attract goldfinches as we had none till put out food for them.They normally feed on thistles and they grow anywhere.Message gets round and increasing numbers appear.Remarkably hardy little birds we ve had hail rain snow etc and they sit it out. We had a real heavy hail shower today and they fed throughout.

I already have a seed feeder with mixed seed in - maybe I need to get one just for niger seed...

These feeders only have a small hole in front of each perch so few birds can winkle them out, we have feeders all over the garden goldfinches only use this one.

That's interesting. I have one of those seed feeders with quite a big hole. Blue tits and great tits love it, but it's annoying that they seem to pull out the seeds and just drop them onto the ground (where the pigeons are waiting!) I think they are looking for the seeds they like, but it results in the feeder being emptied very quickly. I will look out for this kind of feeder with small holes.

This feeder will compliment your other one Sid.Blue tits etc wont feed out of it just as goldfinches wont feed from the one you have at present. We cant stop these birds coming - not that we d want to - just bought our third niger feeder as flocks arriving .They allow us to sit quietly within 10 feet as up to 30 goldfinches siskins even 2 goldcrests today - visit.
Ps Jane says Im to spend night in my van waiting for what I think must be a badger- to visit!

OMG! ha ha ha - I can just imagine your little face at the van window waiting all night for Mr Badger to appear! Good luck! oh, I think Bill Oddy on Spring Watch leaves peanuts out to attract the badgers - maybe you could set out some bait!

Gave up 4 am - next morning pawprints back !

Sounds like they were waiting in the hedge for you to go away... :-)

Yep tried the peanut trick but ate them all myself .At present have to go out each evening and place step ladder in pond in case a visitor slips in and cant get out. Offered to sit in pond all night and catch them - now I m being silly apparently.

Ha ha ha ha..... I hope you get a sighting soon...

Your Bird table is Fab Bonkers i get 2 Gold Finches come&feed@my Bird Feeder Tree :) Iv never seen a SISKINS! :D

Youre in Norfolk arent you Jacque? Most now heading to scandinavia for summer so being near east coast may see flocks tiny little bird smallest of finches.Main habitat is pine forests hence spread here .