A male bullfinch eating sunflower seeds

I'm always pleased to see the bullfinches around the garden. Last year we had two breeding pairs which produced tow broods each. This year I think there was only one pair that I saw and there was no profusion of young ones.

They haven't been showing in the garden much and I hadn't see a male for at least a week. This bird looks as if it is moulting so it may become more confident and visible when its new plumage is fully grown.

Another irregular sight is a male blackcap which I've been watching for the last two weeks. No sign yet of a female. We've had four goldfinches flitting around for a few days, ready to sing delightfully and to eat these sunflower seeds at a pace.