Gold Finches are Eating my Chard

      The first time I spotted several gold finches on my swiss chard, I assumed they were eating some insect.  Yet swiss chard is rather insect resistant.  And it looked like they were eating small pieces of the leaves.  Today was the third time I have seen finches on the chard.  When I arrived at the garden I scared off maybe half a dozen finches.  Yet several remained to tear at the chard.

Gold finch on my swiss chard, November 1st,  2012

Two finches right in the middle

      Now I love having gold finches in my yard.  I even encourage them with all of the different perennials I have that make a finch seed bonanza.  Luckily, when the chard is at its peak, the finches have plenty of other food.  Now I am happy that they have an alternate food source.  Eat your veggies little birdies.