Goldfinches have become surprisingly common in London, benefitting from seeds put out in garden bird feeders. They have the sweetest tinkling song, likened to the sound of a small brook. In the winter they form flocks of hundreds, often on the edges of estuary salt marsh, where they feed on teasel seeds, a beautiful sight as they flash silver and gold taking flight against stormy skies.

A group of goldfinches is known as a charm, a word once also used to describe a gathering of small children.

Put niger seeds and plant teasel and thistles in your garden if you want to attract a charm of goldfinches.