Goldfinch at Torbreck
Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) are scarce in Assynt, but their numbers do seem to have increased in recent years.
This one was seen and photographed on 16th March 2010 by Mike Rochester in a garden at Torbreck, near Lochinver.
There are no known breeding records from Assynt, but if you know differently please let us know.
A. Summers
[EDIT 2021. This species is now a widespread breeder in Assynt with autumn flocks of 30 birds not unusual. Garden feeders are the most likely reason why the fortunes of Assynt’s goldfinches have improved.]