GARDEN WILDLIFE
Goldfinch a charming bird
I
f I had to pick the most colourful bird I regularly see in my garden, it may well be the Goldfinch.
It is a bird I have seen in increasing numbers over recent years, not just because of a rise in overall population but due to me providing the right type of food. The sad truth about being a beautiful bird with a twittering song is you can become quite desirable. Goldfinches were persecuted in the 18th and 19th Century, being captured and caged for their colour and song. This seriously affected numbers although they bounced back once this horrific practice ceased. The Goldfinch is easy to identify. A red face, black and white head, black and white wings which show off beautiful yellow gold bars. When in flight they are distinctive due to the white rump contrasting the black tail and the broad golden wing bars. They are incredibly social birds, likely to arrive in your garden in a flock, especially in colder months. Goldfinches announce their presence with rapid
chaotic noise, described by some as a high pitched tinkling mixed with canary like twittering. Once you get used to the noise they make, you are likely to hear them before you see them. All of this colour and sound is reflected in the name given to a flock of Goldfinches a charm. Attracting them, as I have found, is easier if you provide the correct food. They soon get to know where it is and return regularly, bringing their latest fledglings or juveniles with them. I have found Niger seed works well but I have had most success with sunflower hearts obviously a delicacy that is treasured by these beautiful little birds. If you have thistles, teasels or sunflowers growing in your garden, resist the temptation to remove the heads when they have flowered. Leave them where they are, allow them to dry out and you may be rewarded with Goldfinches vigorously extracting the seeds from them in a charming manner, of course. Steve Woods Leek nature and photography enthusiast
There seems to be a very different attitude now, of which I find surreal, in as much as the people of Leek just cope mostly as only Leek folk can. I still hear chatter and laughter, the odd shouts of greetings. One local said that they would always feel better to hearing the little tubby town crier chatting, banter, shouting and laughter. Seeing people in town that I have not seen for a very long time, hearing how people are now and how they have been coping. A lady said to me: Pandemic, third wave, hot spot, what is it all about? new shops opening and that determination in the air of: We will fight and fight to survive and we will win in the end. Is this the great British spirit shinning through? I am wary myself that we must all take care when we are out and about. There are fewer people about and, of course, fewer children to
give my sweets to. I m not giving out my usual items, but I will continue to go out just for a couple of hours on Saturdays to brighten up people s day as they walk around doing their shopping and hope that I can still put a smile on as many faces as I can. This town of Leek is still here and will spring back to being the best town around. It must be as I meet so many from all over. If we look hard enough, we will find something to smile about. Last but not least, please take care. There are over 600 people (in the area) who have been offered the vaccine who have not taken up the offer. Without being moralistic, please protect yourselves and others around you. God bless us all. Bill Lomas Leek Town Crier
