I looked at the bird table this afternoon and did a double take. Goldfinches. We don't get Goldfinches on Lewis do we? The answer in 1990 when Peter Cunningham's book was last updated was 'very rarely'. Had I seen them before on Lewis? According to the notes in my bird book I have seen one once - in 2005 at Eagleton. Well today I saw a pair. At The Cottage in New Zealand I see this glorious little bird all the time and blog about it too. This is a first time on this blog and, unfortunately, the photos are partly obscured by the netting on the bird table to keep the pigeons off the smaller birds' food
So today I am really thankful to have been visited by this beautiful bird.
They are beautiful! I'll have to post pics of Goldfinches in the US. Very different!
ReplyDeleteYou must have loved seeing them!
Thanks Lisa. I look forward to seeing them on your blog. I loved the moose by the way!
DeleteWell, Lisa is stealing my words right out of my mouth, not I guess keyboard is more correct. I think I've posted one already.
DeleteNever mind the netting, they are still very well visible. We mostly get what we call green finches here, and some other kinds, but occasionally, one can spot a goldfinch, too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe these have followed you on your migration from NZ :-)
Thanks Meike. I have lots of greenfinches too. They are as common as sparrows on my feeder. It'd be lovely to think the goldfinches migrated that far although some UK ones do apparently holiday in Spain for the winter.
DeleteLovely birds! They are seen occasionally - from memory there were some outside the Council Offices in Stornoway last year....could you report the sighting to Steve Duffield at http://www.western-isles-wildlife.com do you think? I believe it may be a species he's interested in recording on the latest sightings - apologies if I'm wrong. Thanks for sharing them with us!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robyn. I have dropped Steve an email. I last saw one here in January 2005 so it's likely there are some permanent residents established now even though the RSPB has the West of Scotland and Islands as Goldfinch-free.
ReplyDeleteThank you Graham. That has answered a question. I now know for sure that we had two on the bird table on Wednesday. David saw them first and asked me what they were. I was unsure as I was under the impression that Goldfinches were not seen on Lewis. I do hope they make a return visit. Is this down to climate change or the fact that they have found a good food source on our birdtables?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you saw them as well. They are a real treat and I'm sure they must have a permanent home somewhere not too far away. I should know more if I hear from Steve Duffield or read his website or reports in more detail.
DeleteI wonder if this means the Islands are warming up.
ReplyDeletePossibly. We nearly reached 11°C today.
DeleteJust saw this bird yesterday on TV on the Great British Baking Show! I knew you must have it on your blog too!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are very good of this gorgeous bird.
Kay I've had even better photos on my New Zealand Blog. Over the last couple of years I've had the birds in the garden again but have been unable to get some really good photos. It really is a beautiful little bird.
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