[obol] Advice regarding American Goldfinches

[bettyehunt at aol.com]

For the first time since we've lived in Oregon, I have American Goldfinches doing odd (to me) behavior:

     (a)  Feeding on the ground beneath the thistle feeders.  I have a "carousel" of three tube feeders, and I'm sure a lot of feed gets dropped, but  I keep the feeders full or nearly so at all times.  Over the last week or so the birds have been on the ground in good numbers - upwards of a dozen at a time.  I used to have some enormous Euryops beneath the feeders (what a gorgeous picture it was when the Euryops bloomed and the goldfinches were feeding), but they early died last year.  Are the birds just taking the easy way out (they didn't do this last year when there was no cover)?  Thought someone might have an opinion, 'cause I'm afraid the little guys (and girls) might be a bit more vulnerable on the ground.

     (b)  Perching on my deck railing and furniture - this is about 50' from the feeders.  They even get into their little "guy fights" that I thought was more to do with position on the feeders.  They're also "exploring" under the covered area of the deck.  They flutter in and out as though looking for something (insects, now that they may have young?) -  they've never come anywhere near the house before.  

I have no idea where/how Goldfinches nest (should do some research, I know), but it seems that there are so many (I've had as many as 24 at once waiting to get at the feeders) they must be nesting somewhere in the area.  Do they use man-made houses/spaces?  They're one of my favorites, because I never believed those pictures on the feeders were real until I moved to Oregon - can't get enough of them!

Any and all responses are welcome.

Bettye Hunt
Waldport


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