Steve,

If thistle or similar plants have started producing
seeds in your vicinity, the goldfinches could have
abandoned your feeders for the fresh stuff.  Also
they will feed on actual blossoms (not seeds) of
trees and other flowering plants.  In the past, I
have had goldfinches stop feeding at my feeders in
preference for the locally available seeds and
flowers.  Although I have no feeders out at my house
at this time, I am hearing the constant chatter of
goldfinches in the trees, pretty much any time I am
home. I say this as a way of noting that there
doesn't seem to be any species-wide die-off in
progress.
Good luck in solving your mystery.
Marcia

_________________________
Marcia Watson
Millers Island, MD


---- Original message ----

  Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2011 13:25:04 -0400
  From: Steve Long <>
  Subject: Gold Finches gone missing?
  To: 
  >For the last several years, I have had 3 pairs of
  Gold Finches using my feeder year-round. Suddenly,
  I am not seeing any of them at all (and the feed
  is not disappearing as fast as normal). I don't
  remember that happening in the previous years.
  Their disappearance coincides with a pair of Crows
  using my bird baths to soak dead nestlings (and
  eggs) on a multiple time per day basis. I am
  hoping that the Crows have not run-off or killed
  the Gold Finches.
  >
  >Does anyone on the list have any
  insights/experience with this sort of thing?
  >
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