Page 10 - EGO Magazine November 2019

local // lleol

Nature Notes By

David Williams

uring November the most of the birds we see in the UK. There teasel and thistle heads. An empty teasel
dried heads of dipsacus, is only a small difference between male head can be refilled using niger seed.
better known as teasel, and female with the males having the These are widely available from wild
provide a ready meal of red head band stretching a little further bird food stockists. Niger seed will also
seed for birds including behind the eye. attract goldfinches to bird feeders. Niger
Dthe goldfinch. The Just as all of the other finches, they seed is high in nutritious oils, proteins
popular name teasel comes from the are, for the most part, granivorous. In and soluble sugars. This seed will also
time when the seed heads were used other words, they like eating seeds. attract other finches and siskins to the
to raise the nap on fabrics particularly They also take insects, particularly for feeder.
to tease woollen nap. This was before their young. Four to six eggs are laid in Sunflower hearts are another good
carding took over in many parts of the a nest which has been built entirely by way of attracting goldfinches. Growing
industry although some teasels are still the female with no help from the male sunflowers is a good way of attracting
used today. bird who accompanies her to the nesting pollinators as well as birds for the
The stem and leaves have prickles site. As the chicks grow, the amount of resultant seed heads to our gardens.
which dissuade many creatures from insects in their diet is reduced while seed Whatever way they are attracted,
taking advantage of the plant. The seed intake is increased. Both parents help in goldfinches are a lovely addition to
Nawr yn derbyn head is the remnant of a purple, pink or feeding the young. Fledglings have the the bird population of any garden. It is
archebion Nadolig / CARE FOR lavender coloured flower which has an
Now taking Orders for characteristic wing colours of the adult well worth trying to attract this species
Christmas interesting sequence of flowering. The birds but don’t have the head colours although your efforts will also benefit
YOU... SO YOU CAN TAKE first colour on the head will be seen in until they are more mature. the other seed loving birds who frequent
CARE OF THEM the centre before spreading to the top Goldfinches like picking seeds out of your local patch.
and bottom of the flower head. It’s as
if the colour expands.
Teasels are grown in domestic
gardens for ornamental properties
Marchnad Bysgod as well as attracting birds such as
goldfinches. The plants are also
Fish Market encouraged to grow at nature reserves
to attract seed eating birds after the
Ystod eang o bysgod ffres a bwyd môr pollinators have taken advantage of
Helfa cychod lleol pan ar gael the flowers. The goldfinch seems to be
Wide selection of fresh fish and seafood Learn how to look after your back quite choosy about it’s menu and has
taken to eating teasel seeds as part of
Local dayboat catch when available
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do about it. The goldfinch is an easily
Mawrth - Sadwrn / Tuesday - Saturday We can show you how to get you back to what recognisable bird with its distinctive
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Get in touch to arrange your free introductory
Craig a Rhiannon Edwards feathers which give the bird its name.
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Dysgwch sut i ofalu am eich asgwrn cefn
The EGO® 11.