I have been in awe of just how many American Goldfinch will descend upon the feeders at one time in the past weeks. They swoop down out of the trees in huge numbers like I've never seen before! I stand and stare as they literally empty the feeder cups within a few hours. They ate my thistle tube feeder (which holds 3 1/2 pounds of seed) halfway down in under two hours yesterday morning!
So many land on the feeders jockeying for position, there is little room for any other birds. Their activity and chattering is dizzying! The overflow crowd, or those who are tired of fighting for a perch, head to the ground to gobble up dropped seed. I took this photo through the kitchen window as they spook easily when I open the deck door. I wanted to show you just how many were on the ground. There were probably 30 or more on the feeders when I took this photo. I've counted three times and got the same total, so here's the deal. The first person to correctly tell me how many are in this photo will receive a nice surprise. Got your Goldfinch glasses on??
***Update: There are, yes indeed, counted them FOUR times, 78 Goldfinch in this photo, and since Mary came the closest and even attempted to count them, she wins the prize!
14 grace-filled voices:
I've never seen that many at once!
I counted 74. But I only counted once :o)
Wow Jayne! Wow! Did you send out invitations or what! I can't believe how many birdies you had at once there.
Hi there, Jane :-)
Great photo, what a treat to see! We once had that many house sparrows about two years ago but we don't see these numbers now :-(
Thanks for taking part with the bird count - I'm glad you found it fun too :-D
Would "a lot count" as a valid answer? I would estimate 60, so I'll say 63.
Vern
Wow Jane, I have only seen more at a feeder one time before. I was just telling my DB that we should go to see that feeder to see how many were coming to it now. The poor things have probably run out of natural food by now.
This is an amazing shot...don't you just love them? Even in the summer when they are in full force here I have never seen that many at once.
Wow, that is a ton of amgo's! Amazing capture for sure!
So that's where they all are! I've been wondering what happened to all of the goldfinches.
Just wait until spring when they, (males of course) are that gorgeous shade of yellow.
That's so cool Jayne. I enlarged the picture and counted 75. Did you go outside and listen to them too? I love to hear them chirping with each other.
Dear Jayne,
Gold Finch Haven! You have a convention for sure. It is party time.
Your temps must be warm. I see green grass too!
Beautiful little birds.
Sherry
Great photo! We've had gobs of them here in NC, too - love them!
That brings further question to the saying "Eats like a bird"
Enjoy it-you never know if the golfinches will always be there.
That's an incredible photo, Jayne! Amazing number of goldfinches! Here in the Northwest, I was thrilled last spring to see two show up at the feeder. I had removed most of our lawn and put in flower gardens, so the birds hadn't found us yet.
This winter I've counted six different types of birds out back. Can't wait to see how many finch show up in a couple of months.
Thanks and welcome macromoments! Glad to have you stop by. ;c)
Post a Comment