Friday 4 March 2011

Friday at the Flicks - Goldfinches, Greenfinches

There have been plenty of Chaffinches here all Winter but other finches have been much more scarce this year. Usually there has been the occasional single Goldfinch visiting and even less often there has been a couple so it was very pleasing to see a little group of five arrive one day.



Even scarcer this year has been the sighting of Greenfinches and it was quite a surprise to spot this pair quietly digging in to some free food.



Have a great weekend observing the wildlife around you.

12 comments:

  1. I can watch these forever.
    How do you get your video as big as that on the page? I don't have a full screen button.

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  2. Adrian. I chose the smallest standard size but I guess the ones offered on YouTube for wide screen HD are a bit on the large size. I have cut them down from 560x349 to 500x311. Is that any better?

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  3. Greenfinch numbers have been way down in my garden too John - I gather they have been badly affected by a parasite - see http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/health/sickbirds/greenfinches.aspx

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  4. Hi John, I enjoyed both the 'flicks'. I have noticed there are perhaps not quite so many of either visiting me as there used to be although I still have good numbers but I do seem to have more Chaffinches this time so it may just be that they seem to push the Green and Goldfinches into the shade a little here.

    I hope you don't mind me being off topic here John but I have long been curious about the question Adrian posed in a comment on your previous post as to whether flash photography can harm an animal's eyesight. This particularly worried me a year or so ago when I was taking night time photos of a Yellow-necked Mouse. I have found the following link which has some interesting information which I think has put my mind at rest.

    http://www.naturescapes.net/042004/do0404.htm

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  5. Yes Phil. There were bad outbreaks of finch disease here the last two years.

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  6. Pleased you enjoyed them Jan. That was a very useful link and an interesting read. I know that when I have taken the odd flash photo of frogs and hedgehogs that they don't seem to be unduly bothered by the experience.

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  7. Hi John, what a wonderful sight the goldfinches make with all their bright colours.

    Not sure how you manage it but your bird food always looks in excellent shape. We have been having problems with ours what with all the drizzly weather we have been having as it just clogs up.

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  8. I think it is very civilized of the Goldfinches to eat together, each on their own perch. They must be aware of the high standards expected at the Birdy Bistro ;) The Goldfinch left behind after the others fly off, seems to look and say "Wha...?"

    The two Greenfinches are also well behaved and seem to be ravenously digging in.

    Your hedgehog is telling us that spring is nearly here, otherwise he'd be still hunkered down. That's my take. Also I'm glad to hear the nesting site still looks promising.

    Your comment the other day about the Smart Phone and the barcode is right on! It is absolutely amazing to realize what can be done. It's a bit mind boggling to even consider what will be accepted as the norm in the future. I think it's all good!

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  9. Excellent videos John.

    I'm still getting around half a dozen Goldies in my garden on a daily basis; Chaffinch and Greenfinch are very rare visitors.

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  10. Hello Twosie. The Goldfinches always brighten up the garden when they arrive. H doesn't seem quite so ravenous now only showing up once on each of the past two nights.

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  11. Hello Glo. The pace of change on the electronic front is far too fast for my liking. No sooner have you bought something than it is out of date.

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  12. Thank you Keith. I don't see the goldies every day but the seed goes down so I guess they keep sneaking in.

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Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Any comment, or correction to any information or identification I get wrong, is most welcome. John

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