Bullfinches are one of Britain's most beautiful birds, but they are also one of its shiest and attracting them into the garden can be tricky. Over the years I've learned a few tricks to get close enough to study these colourful birds for my paintings.
Bullfinch on Apple Blossom| Limited Edition Print | Shop
Planting for bullfinches
Bullfinches tend not to stray far from cover unless traveling directly between feeding areas. Although some people do get bullfinches to feed at their bird table, my local bellowing (yes that is the collective noun), prefer natural food. No matter what I put out for them to eat, they have no desire to join the other birds at my feeding station. So instead I've planted my garden with bullfinches in mind. Below are my top tips for attracting bullfinches to your garden.
Plant native shrubs
Bullfinches have a tendency to devour buds and berries and are therefore unpopular with many gardeners and fruit growers. But in my garden, I prefer to see the birds than the blossom. It has meant I have had to work hard to get them to visit regularly. Throughout the garden and adjacent one-acre plot I have planted more than 500 metres of native mixed hedging and 1,500 shrubs and trees, most of them chosen for their blossom, berries and seeds. Honeysuckle, guelder and pyracantha are some of the bullfinches' favourites.
I’ve planted more than 30 bushes of pyracantha in my garden and as winter progresses and food becomes increasingly scarce I notice them move from species to species.
Dock seeds
This perennial weed is also a favourite of bullfinches. The seed heads are filled with shiny black seeds, slightly larger than an oil seed rape seed and equally full of precious oils. Although docks are not always desirable in a garden, I've been known to gather bundles of docks from the fields around and position them in a long plank of wood outside my kitchen window so that I get a good view of the birds as they feed.
Running water
Most important of all is running water. Bullfinches visit my garden pond, where a pump ensures the water never freezes, regularly to bathe and drink. These birds really do shine out on a winter’s day and seeing them always puts a smile on my face.
.
2 comments
You always bring the heart to the human ❤️
Congratulations on your excellent work, for the care you put into creating a perfect habitat for animals, plants, and humans, and, last but not least, thank you for sharing your experience, knowledge, and passion with everyone.
P.S. Today, it was a booted eagle flying overhead that made me smile, while yesterday, it was the many visits of a kestrel, who even grabbed some snacks right before my eyes (though not close enough to see what they were, but maybe that’s better 😅). These are just two of the many species of birds, as well as other animals, that I’m lucky enough to see even from home. In the evening, I often enjoy listening to the calls of barn owls, scops owls, little owls, etc. Sometimes I even have the privilege of seeing them!
Thanks again, and I apologize for this long P.S. and for my English as well.