Gold

European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

Among the regular visitors to our garden are good numbers of this snazzy species: the European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). They're fond of the seeds of many of the "weeds" dotted around the place (particularly the dandelions), and sometimes gather in big numbers to nibble grit from the driveway. They've built at least one nest that we know of in a shrub near our herb garden, and are occasional visitors to the bird feeders in the winter. According to the RSPB, many of our UK birds head south for the winter, migrating as far as Spain. However, presumably the UK birds are replaced by others from further north during the winter, because we see them year-round.

The black wings with their broad yellow stripe and white spots at the end of the wing and tail feathers are distinctive, as is that noticeably pointed pink bill. Youngsters, which we'll see in late summer, lack that bright red face. European Goldfinches are common and widespread across most of the British Isles (though missing from the highlands of Scotland) and mainland Europe, and have been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, Bolivia, Argentina, a few of the Caribbean islands and parts of the US. The British Trust for Ornithology estimates that there are nearly 1.7 million European Goldfinches across Britain in the summer. Unfortunately, their cheery songs make them popular cage birds. We'd much rather experience them as they are here — free-flying and pouring their lovely songs out into the open air.