I was lucky enough to recently attend a program, “Amazing Birds“, by some local, passionate birders. Among learning quite a few “amazing” bird facts, they briefly mentioned their favorite thistle (nyjer) feeder to attract goldfinches–a sock feeder. I forgot about this little tidbit, until I was doing some other bird shopping and I came across this Nyjer Finch Sock and it was quickly added to my cart.
As soon as it came, I rounded up one my many shepherd’s crooks in the yard and found a spot for it closer to the house. Ideally, it’d be near some brush or shrubs to offer protection for the birds I was attracting. I found just the spot and almost immediately had goldfinches. Not the pretty yellow males, but the motley looking fall males that are molting into their winter colors and the always drab, but still charming, females. Despite their winter colors, I find these to be cheerful little birds flitting about the yard.
As a bonus, the juncos are enjoying the dropped seeds. All seem happy and I look forward to visitors all winter. I’ll definitely be buying more.
