Specie's Page                                               Goldfinch - Garden and Hedgerow

Goldfinch:

UK Status: Resident, although some UK birds migrate as far south as Spain during the winter.

Habitat: This lovely finch is often seen in gardens, or feeding on the seeds of Teasel and Thistle plants. It is very sociable with others of it's own kind, and they often nest in loose colonies. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and insects. They can be found any where that is lightly wooded with trees and shrubs.

Breeding: This bird makes a deep cupped nest of grass and straw, the cup is lined with moss and hair. They start in March, and between then and September they have two, to three broods of chicks. There are between 3 and 7 eggs per clutch, thorny bushes are preferred for nesting in.

Comment: Although quite common throughout the British Isles, they appear most common in southern England.