Back in December, we popped over to the onsite shop of local bird food producer Brinvale, where we picked various items including a finch feeder, full of nyjer seed. Nyjer seed is meant to be a favourite of goldfinches, which sometimes visit our garden. They had spent a fair amount of time on the seed heads of various plants we had allowed to stand and we wanted to contribute more to their diet.

However, despite hanging outside near the other feeders, it seemed the finches weren’t the slightest bit interested. We might even see them on the other feeders but not the one set up for their beaks and with what is meant to be their food! We wondered if it was something about the design of the perches or the bright yellow colour?

A few weeks ago (the day after complaining on a family chat about the problem) we had one finch spend a bit of time on the feeder although not feeding. Then nothing and finally, this week, they seem to have figured out what it is for! They still haven’t flocked en masse but at least they are using it. As with all these sorts of things, it seems patience is key.