Disorderly queues form at the bird table

THE latest news from the bird table is that the goldfinches are back. In accordance with the latest theories, I kept on feeding the birds all through the summer.

There were plenty of customers but the mix of species was different. Goldfinches never disappeared completely but they were rare and only came in ones.

They love niger seed and this is so small you have to use special feeders. Mine only accommodates two birds at a time. But recently, for the first time since March, there has been a disorderly, quarrelsome queue for the feeder. This was to be expected. Goldfinches, like many other small birds, form flocks in the winter but lead less gregarious lives in family units during the summer.