Do goldfinches winter in Britain. (1 Viewer)

[Roger S.]

Hello,
I was looking around my local wood today,and on returning to the car park
There was really noisy activity in the trees above . They were very tall trees and it was bad light but there was loads I am sure goldfinches.
Now I know you should be able to tell them easy but they were very high up.I picked out some of the markings and the flight pattern seemed right but I though goldfinch went aboard for the winter.

Roger.

 

[KnockerNorton]

Many leave, but quite a few also stay.

 

[Jane Turner]

Here is chapter and verse!

In Britain (britannica), some birds remain to winter but most depart, apparently more ♀♀ then ♂♂; ringing data show that individuals migrate in some years but remain in Britain in other years. Hard-weather southward movement within Britain also occurs, e.g. January–February 1983. Passage on east coast of England may include birds of continental race nominate Carduelis in some years; recovery at Balsham (Cambridge), May 1976, of bird ringed Schönholz (Nordrhein-Westfalen, western Germany), August 1975, indicates that at least individuals of that race may reach Britain.

 

[Marmot]

We have as many Goldies coming in Winter as we have in the Summer. Normally around 20.

 

[IanF]

Certainly plenty in the garden still as well as in the coutryside around here.

 

[Roger S.]

Thanks for that chaps.

I was just suprised to see such a large and noisy flock of them.

Roger.

 

[Nightranger]

There is some influx from Europe as Jane points out and these birds (as with all winter migrants) tend to move around constantly in response to food supplies. Some years, I have noticed that goldfinches sit on a garden feeding station throughout the winter but most of the time, they move on at some point. This probably means that these are continental migrants that have stayed because the conditions are relatively mild here (as probably also happens with chiffchaff and blackcap).

Ian

 

[david2004]

Saw one today at the feeder! Third time I've EVER seen them here!

 

[Gill Osborne]

When I lived in urban North Shields I often had them feeding regularly on niger seed from my feeders...often as many as a dozen at any one time - and this went on for WEEKS!
Don't seem to have quite as many now that I'm out in open countryside - though I have seen small flocks around of about 10-15 birds.

GILL

 

[Nina P]

My Goldies are increasing all winter I started with two now I have as many as twenty! I never thought they ever left!

 

[Al livsey]

Plenty Goldfinches on my local patch, flocks of 10 - 12 throughout winter.

Al.

 

[birdman]

Think my garden visitor numbers are fairly stable, although 10 would be good today, and perhaps normal in summer.

 

[kas]

Hello,
I was looking around my local wood today,and on returning to the car park
There was really noisy activity in the trees above . They were very tall trees and it was bad light but there was loads I am sure goldfinches.
Now I know you should be able to tell them easy but they were very high up.I picked out some of the markings and the flight pattern seemed right but I though goldfinch went aboard for the winter.

Roger.

Up here the numbers are stable all year. Never had one in my garden until I put out nyger seed, they took about 2 days to discover it and have been visiting every day ever since. If you haven't tried it already give it ago. Works for some but not for others. :eat:

 

[Roger S.]

Can not get blue tits in my garden let alone goldfinches.My garden only get sparrows,blackbirds,doves,wood pigeons,starlings and the occasional robin.
And thats with two feeders three fat balls,kichen scrapes, birdtable and water. It is only a small garden though with no trees.

The flock of goldfinches in the woods I saw, there must have been 50 or more.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Here is chapter and verse!

In Britain (britannica), some birds remain to winter but most depart, apparently more ♀♀ then ♂♂; ringing data show that individuals migrate in some years but remain in Britain in other years. Hard-weather southward movement within Britain also occurs, e.g. January–February 1983. Passage on east coast of England may include birds of continental race nominate Carduelis in some years; recovery at Balsham (Cambridge), May 1976, of bird ringed Schönholz (Nordrhein-Westfalen, western Germany), August 1975, indicates that at least individuals of that race may reach Britain.

How can you tell the European race from the British race?

 

[Rob Williams]

I had my largest number ever in the garden the other week, 16. Haven't seen any for a few days though.


Rob

 

[salty]

seen a few small flocks - dozen or there abouts - but nowhere near what you would see during spring/summer.

 

[Nutcracker]

How can you tell the European race from the British race?

By ringing recoveries, I think!

The British race is apparently marginally darker on average, but with some overlap. Probably not safe to identify in the field.

 

[Annew]

I only have a tiny paved back yard but I sometimes have as many as 16-20 goldfinches feeding on the sunflower hearts. It always lifts my spirits to see them and gives any visitors quite a shock to see such colourful birds in a backyard!!

 

[James Blake]

For a few years I lived in a rural area near Cambridge with an excellent Goldfinch population - probably due to the great number of Teasels and thistles there. Numbers seemed roughly constant through the year, with the birds tending to congregate in flocks of 50-150 in winter.

Back in town now, I only see Goldfinches in the garden in winter.

James