Garden Wildlife

Goldfinch – a charming bird

IfIhad to pick the most colourful bird Iregularly see in my garden, it may well be the Goldfinch.

It is abirdI have seeninincreasing numbers over recent years, not just because of arise in overall population but due to me providing the right type of food.

The sad truth about being abeautiful bird with atwittering 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. Ared face,black andwhite 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 aflock, especially in colder months. Goldfinches announce their presence with rapid chaotic noise, described by some as ahigh pitchedtinkling mixed with canary like twittering.

Once you getused to thenoise they make, you are likely to hear thembefore you seethem. All of this colour and sound is reflected in the name given to aflock of Goldfinches–a charm.

Attracting them, as Ihave found, is easier if you provide thecorrect food. They soon gettoknow where it is and return regularly, bringing theirlatest fledglings or juveniles with them. Ihave found Niger seed works well but Ihave had most successwith sunflower hearts – obviously adelicacy that is treasured by these beautiful littlebirds.

If you havethistles, teasels or sunflowers growing in your garden, resist the temptation to remove the heads when they have flowered. Leave themwhere they are, allow them to dryout andyou may be rewarded with Goldfinches vigorously extracting the seeds from them –inacharming manner, of course.

Steve Woods

Leek nature andphotography enthusiast

There seems to be avery different attitude now, of which Ifindsurreal, in as much as the people of Leek just copemostly as only Leek folk can. Istill hear chatter and laughter, the odd shouts of greetings.

One local said that theywould always feel better to hearing the little tubby town crier chatting, banter, shouting and laughter.

Seeing people in town that Ihave not seen for avery long time, hearing how people are now and how they have been coping. Alady said to me: “Pandemic, third wave, hot spot, what is it all about?” new shops opening and that determination in the air of: “We willfight and fight to surviveand we will win in the end.” Is this thegreat British spirit shinning through?

Iamwary myself that we must alltakecare when we are out and about.There are fewer people aboutand, of course, fewer children to give my sweetsto.

I’m not giving out my usual items, but Iwill continue to go out just for acoupleofhours on Saturdays to brighten up people’s day as they walk around doing their shopping and hope that Ican still put asmile on as many facesasI can.

This town of Leek is still here and will spring back to being the best town around. It must be as Imeet 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 theoffer. Without being moralistic, please protect yourselves and others around you. God bless us all.

Bill Lomas

Leek Town Crier