Bird Watching: Where are all my Goldfinch friends?

Forum: Bird Watching Replies: 10, Views: 81 Print -

Author Content MrsKinsey Goldsboro, NC (Zone 7b) May 7, 2008 4:52 PM Post #4920515 I haven't seen a male Goldfinch in weeks! There is one lone female that hangs around day in and day out but what's the deal with all the others? Does anyone else have GF's in my area? OPbirder Orchard Park, NY May 8, 2008 10:10 PM Post #4926657 Hi Mrs. - I, too, feel there are fewer goldfinches in my area this year. I wonder if others notice a drop in population. Is it possible you are using old niger seed? Once I purchased fresh seed, I've had a couple more finches. Resin Northumberland (United Kingdom) (Zone 9a) May 9, 2008 4:21 AM Post #4927524 In eastern NC, American Goldfinch is primarily only a winter visitor - they have flown north to breed, and will be back next winter. Resin pelletory Marlton, NJ May 9, 2008 7:18 AM Post #4927722 Hi Resin, I'm curious where you found that information. National Geographic Guide and the Cornell site both say their year round residents in all of NC. catmad Pelzer, SC (Zone 7b) May 9, 2008 7:22 AM Post #4927734 Well, here in Upstate SC, I can vouch that they're here all year. I had recent (human) visitors, and one asked me about the tree with the yellow flowers. I had no idea what that might be, so we went to look. We apparently startled the flowers (on a crape myrtle) and they flew away...:) pelletory Marlton, NJ May 9, 2008 7:32 AM Post #4927757 My Stokes and National Audubon also say their year round residents. Resin Northumberland (United Kingdom) (Zone 9a) May 9, 2008 7:46 AM Post #4927795 The map in Sibley shows them as resident in western NC, but only wintering in eastern NC Ditto for the map in the 3rd edition of the National Geographic, though the older 2nd edition shows them resident throughout NC. Resin pelletory Marlton, NJ May 9, 2008 8:05 AM Post #4927864 Okay I found my 4th edition of National Geographic and it does show them as being a winter resident in eastern areas of NC. OPbirder Orchard Park, NY May 10, 2008 8:23 AM Post #4932128 Well, wherever they winter, I'm glad they spring, summer and fall in Western New York! They sure improve the quality of my life with their cheery little sounds, and colorful flower-like presence in my apple tree! MrsKinsey Goldsboro, NC (Zone 7b) May 11, 2008 5:07 PM Post #4937692 Funny thing, I put a large fuschia plant next to my finch feeder (to attract some hummers mostly) and low and behold, I've had a couple of males visit my feeder again. Could there be a correlation I wonder? I don't have NEARLY as many as I did several weeks ago, but it is still nice to see the occasional few. I still don't know why they left so suddenly though. pelletory Marlton, NJ May 11, 2008 5:20 PM Post #4937725 Maybe the fact that they feel more protected with the cover nearby. Glad you have them!

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