GOLDFINCHES LOVE OUR COSMOS AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS.

No matter how many times I watch the transformation taking place among the goldfinch population in our backyard each Spring it still amazes me. Their daily visits to the feeder to feast on thistle seed allows me to watch as they moult away all those drab winter colors and adorn themselves with a brand new wardrobe. Males, in particular, suddenly light up as their brilliant, lemon skin yellow feathers start to appear. Gorgeous and exotic looking they dart about among the colorful blooms of red bud, lilac and mock orange. During the winter it was easy to keep them attracted to our yard simply by stocking the feeder with their favorite food - thistle seed. Now it is just about time to let their feeders go empty again. During the summer, when wild seeds are plentiful it takes careful planning to get them to stay here. Many years ago I learned a little secret for doing just that though. In fact, I've even found a way to keep them coming directly to my window - peering right in at me and singing cheerfully while I sit here at my desk. How I do this is quite simple. Planting just a few of the smaller variety of lemon yellow sunflower plants directly in front of my window is irresistible to them. I grow the shorter, branching type sunflowers with about six inch blooms. The flowers appear much earlier than the larger types causing seeds to mature sooner. Goldfinches like tiny seeds not the huge mammoth types of sunflowers. They seem to enjoy just coming and perching on the branches even when not eating. Our goldfinches also "love" cosmos seeds. We always include a small garden filled with tall cosmos plants. After reaching full bloom, as blossoms begin to wane the tiny birds perch upon them feasting on the seeds. Our reward is to watch the colorful little birds dart among the haze of green foliage and brilliant colors of pink, maroon and white flowers. So whether I'm sitting inside watching these dear little friends from my window or relaxing under a shade tree seeing them dart about in the cosmos garden, planting both sunflowers and cosmos assures their presence in our backyard throughout the summer season.