Notable Recent Sightings

29/05 Pink-footed Goose 1, over Welshpool, photo'd on 09/06
01/05 Red-throated Diver 1, Llyn Clywedog
07/02 Whooper Swan 44, Lake Vyrnwy
31/01 Whooper Swan 51, Haimwood, Llandrinio
17/11 Firecrest 2, Castle Caereinion
07/11 Barnacle Goose 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas
07/11 Hawfinch a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings
01/11 Short-eared Owl 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm
01/11 Great Grey Shrike Gregynog
28/10 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant
25/09 Gannet 1 juv grounded near Caersws
07/09 Nightjar 1, photographed near Pontrobert
17/07 Quail RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07
24/04 Long-eared Owl 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
16/04 Purple Heron 1, Cors Dyfi
05/03 Firecrest 1, Lake Vyrnwy
05/03 Short-eared Owl 1, Lake Vyrnwy
14/01 Pink-footed Goose 1, Dolydd Hafren
03/01 Waxwing 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Sunday, December 01, 2013

Leucistic Goldfinch?

Thought I'd spent some time in the garden today, and this Leucistic (?) Goldfinch appeared.  Also, since switching from black Sunflower seed to Sunflower hearts, the Goldfinch have ceased to eat Nyjer seed in favour of the hearts; the change was 5 weeks ago.  Could this be that the hearts have been shelled or it is more accessible through a large holed feeder (vs thin slits on Nyjer feeder).  Thoughts welcome!


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7 comments:

  1. phil owen1 December 2013 at 15:53

    they make such a mess with the Nyjer seed might have to make the change

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kev Joynes1 December 2013 at 16:12

    I have large holed Niger feeders and hearts and the Goldies spend most of their time on the hearts , so it's a straight preference. When it gets much colder they seem to spend equal time on both : odd really as the hearts are so much biggger and require less effort, but clearly the niger has extra oil or something which they like at times. You're right there Phil-I have a table under the niger to catch the spillage. Nice bird .

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous2 December 2013 at 10:01

    Weird - is it just my eyes or is the beak slightly deformed as well - seems to have a bit of crossbill about it

    ReplyDelete
  4. Edd Cottell2 December 2013 at 10:58

    Yep, the two halves of the beak aren't aligned, it didn't seem to have trouble eating though. Thanks Kev, it will be interesting to see if they eat the Nyjer seed when the temperature drops. I read King Solomon's Ring earlier this year, and there is a section on bird keeping, and the author mentions how tricky Goldfinch are to look after when kept in an aviary (written in 1949 - it is illegal to keep wild birds/animals now), and as you say, they require a balance of oily seed to survive. Phil, since making the switch to hearts, there is much less cleaning to do!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Simon Boyes2 December 2013 at 16:18

    Edward, the BTO are currently conducting a survey of deformed beaks and would be pleased to receive your photo. See http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/bgbw

    ReplyDelete
  6. Edd Cottell2 December 2013 at 20:08

    Thanks Mike, I have sent in the picture to the survey.

    ReplyDelete
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