The mystery of Niger seed

Many years ago somebody said, “Get some Niger seed. Goldfinches love it.”

So I did.
I bought a feeder and chose a prominent position.

Not a sign of a goldfinch.

I didn’t give up.
I gave them time.
(About ten years.)

I then threw away the seed. I was sure it was well out of date.

Somebody told me about sunflower hearts.
The goldfinches love them.
I can have twenty-five or more squabbling.
I buy sacks weighing 15kg - delivered of course.

I bought some new feeders during lockdown. The firm sent me a niger feeder in the pack. It was a mistake but I thought I’d have another go. I bought some more Niger seed. 

One solitary goldfinch has been coming to it. I wondered if he was bullied by the others - an outcast ?

But this morning there were two. One of these looks like a baby.

I’ll be interested to see what happens....