At 06:30 today about 10 European Goldfinches moved through our yard, and I could make out maybe 3 or 4 immatures. This was particularly satisfying as I’ve not seen E. Goldfinches hereabouts for at least 15 years. Are there any hypotheses as to their apparent demise?
At 07:30 I went outside again and saw a male Collared Sparrowhawk plucking a small bird atop a Silver Birch. I bade brat to bring binos and watched from 15m away. And, maybe you’ve guessed it, the prey item was ... an immature European Goldfinch L!
To another species; I’ve noticed more House Sparrows here last spring and this summer than I have in 20 years.
John K. Layton
Holt.
