Birdfeeders

As summer is coming to an end, nesting season is over and the days start to shorten, goldfinches will stay together in a small family group. They will start spending more time again around  thistle bird feeders (nyjer seed). As fall migration begins, families join together until flocks can contain dozens to hundreds of birds. They will all be looking for food, so expect a large number of visitors to all thistle bird feeders. If the numbers visiting your yard becomes quite large, consider adding feeding stations, at least temporarily. These large flocks may be just passing through or stay for weeks. At some point, most will move on, but there will probably be some winter resident finches that stay year around. Of course, goldfinches love nyjer seed, but consider adding some less expensive alternatives that they also enjoy. Experiment with adding millet, flaxseed, cracked corn or even canary seed and see what else they enjoy.