Attracting Chaffinches (2 Viewers)

[Dale5]

Hi all,

Just wondered if anybody had any advice on attracting Chaffinches?
Only ever had 1 female arrive in my garden last December. Never had a male visit. :-C
Wish I could get a flock of them to visit my garden. But they just don't visit?

I feed various foods - sunflower hearts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, Haiths bullfinch seed, niger seed, fat cakes, mixed ground seed in a wooden ground feeder.
I get numerous Greenfinches feeding, but never Chaffinches.

Any advice on trees/shrubs they like, or feeding habits would be great
From reading my RSPB book, they appear to like feeding on Beech Mast, it's a shame I don't have a Beech tree.

Thanks, :t:

Dale

 

[bill moss]

Hi Dale,

The first thing to ask is, are there Chaffinches in your area? I know that sounds daft but it's not, you can only attract what's in the area already.

Chaffinches feed mainly on the ground but they do visit feeders (at least I know that Sue's and mine do) and in my case they usually go for Sunflower hearts (not whole seeds). Reading your list I can't see any reason why you shouldn't get the odd birds (I don't get 'flocks', max about 6, plus juvs in season), but note my first comment.

Keep trying, sometimes these things take a while.

Bill.

 

[Renee Redstart]

You're doing everything right Dale, as far as I can see. If, as Bill says, Chaffinches are in the area then you should get some. They are the most regular of my birds, a bit like Sparrows were in the olden days. Whatever else comes and goes, there are always at least a couple of Chaffinches. Mine eat equally on the ground and on feeders, using sunflower hearts and mixed seed. But well done with your Greenfinches. Enjoy them!

 

[mrs fish]

I have a few visit, they are lovely looking little birds.

 

[Cathy H]

Hi Dale,

I think it's as has been said already, you need to find out if they're in your area. From my experience it seems that if they're around they will find you. We don't need to go looking as they're the most common bird we get. I was shocked to find up to 70+ at times over the winter with the migrants arriving. At the moment our numbers are at around 40-50. They seem to feed on anything - they do battle with the greenies for the sunflower hearts; woodland bird mix; fat cake; peanut feeder; bread etc, you mention it, they seem to eat it. Good luck in attracting them to your garden.

B :hi:

 

[Liebchen]

Hi Dale

I have the same lack of chaffinches as you. I have seen a female chaffinch on a couple of occasions but nothing more. I get house sparrows, goldfinches, greenfinches, dunnock, blue tits, coal tits and the occasional great tit but no chaffinches. I have been looking around our area here and so far I have not yet seen any at all. But just a couple of miles down the road there are plenty. So maybe I'll just have to hope that they 'move' into the area one day. :flyaway:

Keep fingers crossed, Liebchen

 

[Judo]

Hi Dale,
I have only 3 or 4 visit, 2 males and 1 female quite regularly and on the odd occasion another female comes too. So 4 is the most I've ever seen in my garden, so as everyone has said, if they're in the area then one day you may get a visit, can't see any reason why not. All the best, Judo.

 

[Paminfra]

I'm fed up with Greenfinches and have dozens of them! They even manage to land on the fat balls and eat those, also on the peanut holders and the salt pig feeder! I would willingly export them if possible. Does anyone know of a harmless way of getting rid of them?

Pam.

 

[Dale5]

Hi Dale

I have the same lack of chaffinches as you. I have seen a female chaffinch on a couple of occasions but nothing more. I get house sparrows, goldfinches, greenfinches, dunnock, blue tits, coal tits and the occasional great tit but no chaffinches. I have been looking around our area here and so far I have not yet seen any at all. But just a couple of miles down the road there are plenty. So maybe I'll just have to hope that they 'move' into the area one day. :flyaway:

Keep fingers crossed, Liebchen

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your replies, it is much appreciated.

There are Chaffinches in my area. I have seen them nearby the local river and fields, so they are around. I will have to be more patient, I will keep going until they arrive. 3 Can't get enough Greenfinches in my garden though, had 15 visit the other weekend. Wish the Greens would have invited the Chaffs along too!! 3

Liebchen - It sounds very much like we are in the same boat, we have similar garden visitors, but no Chaffinches. Good luck to you & I hope they visit you soon.

Kind Regards,

Dale