Competition for the sunflowers

The birds now come to feed in the garden in much larger numbers than a few years ago, prior to us providing food.  Now I would guess there are at least three times the number we once got. But the balance between the species is still very variable. I'm pleased to say that the decline in goldfinches has been arrested so that we have at least four of them feeding here regularly.  

I looked out from my desk and saw the woodpecker and knew I wouldn't get downstairs with my camera and be able to open the patio door without disturbing it.  So I gently eased my study window open and poked the long lens down towards the garden a long way below me. Just before I took this picture one goldfinch was chased away by the woodpecker, which lunged at it with its long sharp beak.  

The nuthatches have blossomed and I think there are three pairs now living here all year round.  The little flocks of longtailed tits who were frequent visitors for many years are now rarely seen here. Now the leaves have fallen I can more easily spot the two woodpeckers on the trees at the bottom of the garden as they prepare to fly in to feed on these sunflowers or the peanuts in another holder.  The tits are thereabouts all the time, flitting from branch to branch and on to the feeders whenever they want and they aren't intimidated by the bigger woodpeckers or the aggressive posturing of nuthatches. I love to see them all and am pleased they're thriving here, despite the increasing consumption and thus cost of the food.