Goldfinches

The weather lately has been more wet than dry, the grass is growing rapidly and because it has been too wet to cut them, the wild flowers have taken hold and they look so pretty. I can see more daisies on my lawns than I am able to see stars in the sky at night!

There are also dandelions by the dozen, some of which have seeded, much to the delight of the goldfinches, a pair of which visit several times a day to eat these delicacies. In the winter these beautiful birds with their red faces and striking black, white and yellow plumage, visit the garden in flocks - known as charms of goldfinches.

Now it is springtime and nesting must be on their mind. Their nests are cup shaped and built in trees and bushes, from stems moss and plant material. Twice a year they lay a clutch of 4-6 eggs, which are pale blue with reddish markings, these are incubated by the female for 10-14 days.

The youngsters are brownish and speckled, except for their wings which are the same as the adults.