William Wagner wrote:
In article ,
Janet Baraclough wrote:
The message
from HettieŽ contains these words:
I've always wanted to try to attract goldfinches, too, so that is next
but I was worried about thistle seed spilling out. I let a volunteer
thistle grow one year so I could watch it (Sottish national flower)
The nyger seed sold for goldfinches, is a tropical thistle from
Africa. It's not the same plant as the Scottish thistle, at least, it
won't germinate here in Scotland :-)
For some weird reason, birds are very fussy about where they eat
nyger seed from. For a long time I tried in vain to tempt goldfinches
with niger seed, which I put in conventional seed holders, or on the
bird table. Every bird in the garden refused to touch it and many other
gardeners I know, had the same experience.
Then at a friends house, I was astonished to see a dozen or more
goldficnches flocking to a special nyger-seed holder which is a plastic
tube with very narrow holes at each feeding-station. I bought one at
Petsmart, and now we have flocks of goldfinches. They still won't touch
nyger seed served any other way.
Janet.
Few things I forgot to mention about Finch feeders. The type that
force them to eat upside down are really comical! Wrap some bright
yellow ribbons or tape about your feeder. Yellow to a Finch is similar
to Hummers going to red. Seems when it is mating time the male Finch
turns bright yellow.
Bill
Thank you for all the wonderful info and helpful tips. I have
patronized this site often lately, and there are a lot of tube feeders
at the link. Which would would be ideal? Which ones (if any) could
they hang unside down on? My only condition is I don't want one too
long. Can't use it until next year anyway, I'll have to read up on
finches, too, but don't want to buy any more books right now!
Please copy and past the item# if you respond so I know for sure which one.
http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/tub...rs_thistle.asp
I already ordered the birch feeder (it fits my yard scheme the best,
have a clump of birches in front), VC-LOG-2T, & one gift because they
only had 3 in stock. I get free shipping that way. I can get another
finch feeder if you think the birch log won't work, and Christmas is
coming anyway.