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Index of Subjects Anna, I checked out the size of a Goldfinch territory in Stokes 'Guide to Bird Behaviour', Vol.1 of Stokes Nature Guides by Donald & Lillian Stokes. If you have the right territory for a Goldfinch nest, which they describe as "open areas, either marshy or near water, with scattered shrubs and/or saplings", they give 1/4 acre to an acre or more as the usual territory size. But they also say that, "Territorial behaviour in Goldfinches is most prominent in crowded areas where the territories may be as small as one hundred feet in diameter." So I guess it depends on how desirable your yard is to them! Also, although we are witnessing courtship behaviour now, Goldfinch don't actually nest until late summer - July & August. Lois Codling Anna Gardner wrote: > Great news! I was afraid the answer would be that it was somehow > detrimental to the birds to continue to feed (unnecessary dependence > on humans??). We're looking forward to observing as much bird behavior > and as many birds as we can :) > Any idea how many, if any, of all those finches might stick around to > nest? > AG > > On 5/22/07, Lois Codling <loiscodling@hfx.eastlink.ca> wrote: >> Hi Anna and others, >> >> One of your questions concerned taking down feeders for the summer, and >> I've noticed several other people mentioning the same practice. We've >> been feeding here in L. Sackville for quite a few years now, and my >> experience says that you'll get a lot more birds if you are consistent >> through the year. Clarence Stevens Jr. had an article in the paper >> about it awhile back, and he said _more birds die of starvation in >> summer than at any other time of year!_ That is because of the >> tremendous increase in numbers when the young birds hatch. Also >> throughout both migrations (spring & fall) we have a great increase in >> numbers. So it concerns me that many people think you do not need to >> continue to feed through the summer. Your winter birds become dependent >> on your reliable source of food, so when that dries up just as they have >> their young, you put undue stresses first on the parents to provide, >> then on the young to survive. If you are able to continue feeding, you >> will have the rewards of seeing the parents bring their young to your >> feeders - great fun! And the next generation knows where to come for >> food too, so you will see an increase in numbers of birds over time. >> Also it's much easier when you don't have to put on winter coats & boots >> and plow through feet of snow. >> >> Lois Codling >> > >
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Index of Subjects