Goldfinch– there’s nothing like a shortage of seeds in the feeder, and a subsequent spat, to show the beautiful markings of Goldfinches. Goldfinches are one of the success stories at present. Spreading their territories further north, they are only absent in moorlands and mountains now and, on the green list, they are increasingly common in gardens, accessing feeders. As autumn progresses you may see them feeding on tiny seeds in teasels, but if so, they will be males- only males have long enough bills to access Teasel seeds. It is one of the easier ways to tell males from females! Tracking has shown that many travel south in late autumn and migrate to Europe for the winter. Goldfinch became associated with the passion of Christ during the Renaissance (to do with the ‘blood’ red on their heads) and appeared in several works of art, including a painting by Raphael. The Dutch painter Carel Fabritus famously painted a chained Goldfinch, which subsequently featured in the Donna Tartt book ‘The Goldfinch’. Conditions: Breezy, dry with sunny intervals. Temperature: Max 21 Min 13C.
Sheffield city nature diary by Penny Philcox 