GMG reader Anita writes with a question about goldfinches ~
Hi Kim, I hope you can help me with this. I used to have lots of goldfinches. Lately I have not seen a one. I have the feeders but still no goldfinches.
Hi Anita,
Their lower numbers have been reported up and down the east coast. I’ve seen a few, but not nearly as many as in previous years. Goldfinches are migratory and nomadic, following food sources. And their population numbers vary widely from year to year. I’ve read the theory that they may be finding all the food they need in the wild, but that hardly seems plausible these past few weeks.
In 2011, an irruption of pine siskins arrived on Cape Ann. They, along with the goldfinches, were at the nyjer seed feeder from morning until nightfall. I would continue to keep your nyger seed feeders filled for finches, grosbeaks, and traveling siskins. Goldfinches (and squirrels) also love black oil sunflower seeds.
The male’s plumage shows in much quieter tones at this time of year. You may, as do I, have a few goldfinches feeding alongside your sparrows but they are less noticeable because their brown and beige color blends with the flock.
Male Goldfinch in Breeding Plumage Eating Cosmos Seeds
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Filled bird feeders equals happy birds!
Watch the Instagram with the volume on–you’ll love hearing birdsongs in the snow and it will remind you of spring.
http://instagram.com/p/y5NrDpDym0/
Good Morning Gloucester 
i have lots of goldfinches at my feeders in east gloucester.
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We have all the ones Cynthia Lawry doesn’t (or maybe they’re the same ones doing the rounds), also in East Gloucester! I counted 20 of them at once on our 3 feeders by the kitchen window. (2 sunflower seeds, one nyjer/thistle seeds). Also nuthatches, titmice, chickadees, house finches — the usual suspects. But my question is: where do they nest in these storms? They show up from somewhere and perch on our plum tree, seemingly waiting their turn at the feeders. Totally unconcerned about the weather.
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Thanks Cynthia and Tom for sharing your goldfinch sightings–very informative. Tom, finches sleep somewhere near their food source (in this case your garden or yard) in dense thickets. They fluff their feathers to keep warm and insulated and tuck naked body parts under their feathers to prevent further heat loss.
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Kim, I wanted to let you know that my Gold Finches have come home to roost. I put peanuts in the garden for the Jays & squirrels to keep them away from the feeders. My dog Ozzy, loves to jump in and eat the peanuts. I still have to stop at the wild bird store and get something for the Robins.
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Wonderful Anita! Great tip about peanuts as decoy, too.
We don’t have a flock of robins any longer in our garden, just one lone male, looking for a mate, and to keep other robins out of “his” crabapple tree. If you have any blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries that have gone by, you can cut those up and put a little tray out for the robins. You may also get mockingbirds and catbirds. I don’t leave any berries out overnight, only because it brings rodents, which then attract the coyotes.
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