Monday 16 January 2012

Goldfinches and niger seeds

Following on from last Thursday's bird blog...  Another import into France, because they are virtually impossible to buy over here, are niger seeds (Guizotia abyssinica). We found some on the internet last year but I think they were gold plated given the price plus delivery. Goldfinches love niger seeds! So we imported several bags from Wilkinson at a very reasonable cost...


If you have followed our blog from last year you will be familiar with the aggression Goldfinches show when trying to get to the seeds. See video here

Given a plentiful supply of seeds we have doubled up on seed feeders making five perches available...

However nothing changes; they squabble like mad for a chance to gorge on the seeds... the best solution is to dive bomb each other off the perches as the photos below demonstrate...

 

They are great to watch... really should get on with the redecoration!

6 comments:

Diane said...

Food for the birds here in winter is not easy to find, and when you do the price is ridiculous. Our birds in the last couple of days since it has been colder are eating twice as much, not sure if the bank balance can keep up with them. Diane

Lesley said...

Back in the UK we usually thought that a sack of nuts and seeds for the birds cost the equivalent of a good meal out for two. Here in France just the sunflower seeds and fat peckers for a couple of months has been a gourmet meal out for one! But the birds have to be fed.

Anonymous said...

WE have a lesser spotted woodpecker who hogs the nuts, spreading its wings out to cover the feeder...the other birds don't get a look in.

Have you discovered "Vivara" the French site for bird seed etc.

SP

Jean said...

Stunning photos, thank you, which is why I have nominated you for a blog award. Don't feel obliged to take part but details are in my latest post !!

Colin and Elizabeth said...

YES thats the one we have looked at but it is expensive for pensioners like us. Thanks for the link we had forgotten the name...

Tim said...

Niger seed is now being stocked in the Bricomarche at Yzeures... the bigger one at St Maure might well stock it also. But I wouldn't like to think how much it is compared to Wilko...
And are those niger seed feeders with the little slot?