[obol] Fewer Goldfinches

[Carter, Jack]

Hi Peter - 
>From your posts below I'd suspect part of the reduced numbers of
goldfinches are due to the raptors you've observed.  Your reduced
sightings are probably due partly to raptors catching some of your
goldfinches, and also the goldfinches are staying away because of the
predators.  Years ago I had thistle seed feeders out in the open, and
although it made for easy goldfinch watching, it also made it too easy
for predators to snatch them off the feeders, and I decided there was a
more responsible way to do it.  So I positioned the feeders so they're
tucked under/between holly branches or under fir foliage.  While I may
see fewer finches because the feeders aren't as exposed, it's made it
tough for hawks to grab them off the feeder, which is good.  

Concerning numbers, through the summer I saw large flocks of Am.
Goldfinches in the open areas west of Aurora, feeding along fencerows.
In my yard, however, I've seen fewer Am. and Lesser Goldfinches than
I've seen in past years. 

Jack Carter
Lake Oswego

Message: 6
Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2006 15:55:05 -0700
From: "Peter J. McClosky" <pmcclosky at earthlink.net>
Subject: [obol] Fewer Goldfinchs
Cc: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu
Message-ID: <452AD349.80304 at earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Hello OBOL'ers

For the last few weeks I have had about 200 GOLDFINCHES at my back yard
feeders.

Yesterday I noticed a large reduction in numbers of these birds, and
today I am only getting about 50 come and go to the feeders.

Peter,
In the Santa Clara region of Eugene

--
Peter J. McClosky
Formerly of Los Angeles, CA
Now Living in Eugene, Oregon
http://home.earthlink.net/~pmcclosky
pmcclosky at earthlink.net

Message: 13
Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:36:06 -0700
From: "Peter J. McClosky" <pmcclosky at earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [obol] Fewer Goldfinchs
To: Brandon Green <bjgreen34 at yahoo.com>
Cc: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu
Message-ID: <452DC636.5030901 at earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hello Brandon,

I  am still getting groups of about 50 at a time, but the are coming 
less frequently, and staying a shorter period of time each time they
come.

Small "birds of prey" have discovered my back yard. Since 10/1/06 I have

had at the following in the yard: MERLIN (3 times), COOPER's HAWK
(2 times), AMERICAN KESTREL (2 times), plus two unidentified small 
falcons or hawks.

I have 11 bird feeders in the back yard, and by far the most used, are 
the ones out in the open. These feeders use about twice the amount of
thistle & black oil sunflower seeds than the ones I have hanging in two 
trees.

I also have a bird bath that is used a lot.

<>Peter
In the Santa Clara region of Eugene




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