Do American Gold Finches stop feeding on thistle in the fall or..... (1 Viewer)

[JRF]

Greetings all.
I've always been a casual bird feeder but got more serious this year with multiple feeders, time watching and learning to ID more birds (you mean that's not JUST a "sparrow" ?
I got one of those sock style feeders to put Nyjer Thistle seeds in to attract more finches and boy was that a resounding success. Many times I'd have dozens of American Gold finches on it and also purple finches.
About 3 weeks or so ago they pretty much stopped feeding on the thistle but I do see them going after the black sunflower and picking at a feeder with a but/fruits mix in it.
Around the same time they stopped feeding on the thistle I bought a new bag of it so I'm wondering do they just change feeding habits to prepare for winter or did I get a bad bag of thistle?
Not cheap stuff so I'd rather not throw it out.... comments appreciated.
Thanks

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi JRF and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

Personally, I am not investing in thistle this year. Last year I wound up throwing almost 10 pounds away. All the Goldfinches wanted from me last year was sunflower hearts and they ate to their heart's content I may get one or two socks but for the little attention they paid to the socks, it just didn't seem worth it.

 

[jmepler]

Hi JRF, welcome to the forum.

It is certainly possible that you got a batch of Nyjer that the birds don't care for.

It is also possible that they are feeding on the abundant natural seed crop available right now and are less interested in your offerings.

The birds may be less picky as their choices become less.

Also, be careful what you wish for. A couple years ago we had an irruption of Pine Siskins here in Pennsylvania and I spent a small fortune to keep them in Nyjer and sunflower chips.

Mike

 

[JRF]

Thanks for the welcome and the info. I guess since they are still coming to my feeders I should not care much what they choose to feed on. Its was just odd as they spent all summer all over the thistle and then poof no more. Funny you mentioned Pine Siskins. Saw my first ones this week but not on the thistle- they were mixed feediing on my general all around cheapo food and the black sunflowers and always fun to welcome some new species to the flock
Thanks again

 

[DownyWP]

Welcome to the forum! Where I live in the wet Pacific Northwest, Nyjer Thistle in a thistle sock is not a good fit, once that seed gets wet, it spoils. Slightly better is a tube type thistle feeder. During the rainy winters, I have to remember to shake the feeder to get rid of wet seed and clean the feeders often.

Also, if say you purchased a 20 pound bag of thistle that sat out all summer, it may have gotten old and rancid, then the goldfinch won't touch it. I put any extra seed into the freezer until needed.

Good luck!