News: Spring/Summer 2006

The BTO believes people who feed their garden birds have reversed the decline of one of the nations prettiest finches.

The goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) declined seriously in the 1970s, but BTO monitoring reveals that the species has recovered almost to the same levels as before the decline began. Results of the Garden Birdwatch survey reveal that over half of garden feeding stations are visited by goldfinches in the early spring compared to only a quarter just 10 years ago. The change could be attributed to the better availability of high energy food like nyger seed and sunflower hearts of which goldfinches are particularly fond. Mike Toms, National Organiser for the BTO/CJ Garden Birdwatch commented: "There is no doubt in my mind that people putting out high-energy seed mixes in their gardens have made a real difference for this species. This shows that what we, as individuals, can achieve collectively by taking an interest in wildlife and by providing suitable foods at particular times of the year."

BTO. 2006. Add some glamour to your garden. BTO news release no. 2006/03/06. March 6th 2006.