A Goldfinch Nest Outside My Window:
Diary, Folklore & the Art It Inspired

A goldfinch nest diary from my nature journal - follow the story of a goldfinch family, discover folklore meanings, and see the art it inspired...

A Goldfinch Nest Outside my Window

Last spring something magical happened just outside my bedroom window...

A pair of goldfinches built their nest in the climbing rose by our front door...

And for several weeks I was lucky enough to watch the whole story unfold - from the first careful twigs to the moment the young birds finally took their first flight.

I recorded everything in my nature journal: the nest building, the tiny eggs, the hungry chicks, and the nervous days before they fledged.

Alongside this personal story, I’ve added some of the folklore and symbolism surrounding the goldfinch - a bird long associated with joy, healing, and renewal.

And finally, I’ll also show you the artwork this experience inspired...

Goldfinches have always felt like little sparks of joy in the hedgerows...

With that warm flash of red and gold in the hedgerows, the fluttering chatter, and the way they seem to bring a spark of brightness to even the greyest British day.

And in folklore, these little birds have long been seen as symbols of hope, protection, renewal, and prosperity...

Goldfinch art by Lotti Brown

Start exploring this page:

What Does a Goldfinch Nest Look Like?

My Goldfinch Nest Diary

Goldfinch Folklore & Symbolism

Goldfinch Meaning

My Goldfinch Artwork

Goldfinch Nesting Facts & FAQs

What Does a Goldfinch Nest Look Like?

Goldfinches build small, neat cup-shaped nests high in trees, shrubs, or climbing plants where the branches provide good cover. The female usually builds the nest from fine twigs, moss, plant fibres, and hair or wool, weaving everything carefully together to form a strong but delicate structure.

Goldfinch nests are often surprisingly small - just large enough to hold the eggs and later the growing chicks. In my case, the goldfinches chose a climbing rose just outside my bedroom window, giving me an unusually close view of the whole nesting story.

My Goldfinch Nest Diary

My goldfinch nest diary starts from when I first saw the goldfinches in my garden, a few weeks before they built their nest...

The goldfinches nested in a climbing rose at the front of my house, south-facing... The rose is tall, so they ended up building their nest just outside my window.

I'm in the middle of a village in rural East Yorkshire in the UK, quite close to the road...

I wrote the following entries in my nature journal as the story unfolded, so they are shared here exactly as I experienced those days...

First Sightings in the Garden

This was the moment I first noticed the goldfinches visiting the garden regularly - long before I realised they were planning to build their nest nearby...

Saturday April 5th 2025

European Goldfinch

Goldfinches (2) seen this morning in the Acer (yellow) in the back garden. They then flew almost immediately to the bird feeder and started feeding at the sunflower seeds.

Seen again (both) at lunchtime at the feeder again. Refilled the feeder this morning with more sunflower hearts. There were lots of spilled seed in the base. Messy birds! Good job they weren't spilling onto the ground

Always love to see goldfinches in the garden. So pleased with the birds at the feeder this year. Just this week including goldfinch (x2), greenfinch (x1), robin (x1), dunnock (x2) (x3 in the garden), blue tit (x1).

Nest Building Begins

A couple of weeks later, something wonderful happened. The goldfinches began building a nest in the climbing rose outside my bedroom window...

Monday 21st April 2025 (Easter Monday)

Goldfinches building their nest

Nest in the climbing rose over the front door and visible out of our bedroom window!

I was very excited to discover yesterday morning (Easter Sunday) that we have a goldfinch nest (currently being created) in the front garden in the branches of the rose over the door.

When I got upstairs to see if I could see the nest out of the bedroom window, I realised that it was at a perfect height to see right out of the front window.

The nest is small and round, made from small twigs, moss and fur.

The female goldfinch brings materials, adds them, then sits in the nest and wiggles, first her bum/tail, slightly sticking up, then her head and chest to get it comfortable.

Since spotting it yesterday, the nest has got larger and thicker. To me, it looks nearly ready now! The goldfinch comes regularly to the nest, but is still away longer than she is in it. No eggs!

We have spent the day moving things around in the bedroom so that the alarm clock won't go off next to the goldfinch nest tomorrow morning, in case it frightens her!

Eggs in the Nest

Soon the nest was complete - and the first eggs appeared...

Friday 25th April 2025

Goldfinch laying eggs in her nest

Our little goldfinch has laid her eggs and is sitting in the nest now.

The nest has been growing, getting thicker and softer (there seems to be a lot of fur!).

Yesterday, Goldie seemed to be sat in it all morning but was gone in the afternoon and evening. I did not see any eggs.

This morning, at 6.30am, Goldie was there sitting in the nest. I checked again several times in the morning, and in the mid-morning she'd gone and I was able to see two small white eggs, slightly speckled. They reminded me of Cadbury's Mini Eggs! There may have been more than two, but two was all that I could see.

She was back sat on the nest after lunch, but had gone again around 6pm.

I can see her breathing and the movement of her throat as she makes tiny cheepings.

She is looking around a lot all of the time. She moves around to face different directions and repositions herself.

She is well protected by leaves!

PS - 'Dad' has been sighted in the area, but not close to the nest.

So happy to get the joy of watching my little Goldie.

Only the female sits on the eggs. I hope and pray the little eggs survive and hatch!

The Goldfinch Chicks Hatch

After around two weeks of patient waiting, the moment finally arrived...

Saturday 10th May 2025

The eggs hatch

The goldfinch eggs have hatched!!

I glimpsed two eggs still in the nest on Thursday. I've been checking regularly as they must be due to hatch (around two weeks).

This morning, when I got up around 6.45am, the mum was out of the nest. I wasn't sure I could see anything, then some white 'fur', downy feathers moving - a little body I think.

Mum still seems to spend most of the time sitting on the nest, or standing over it.

It's hot today, so this afternoon she spends some time standing with her wings out, creating shade, beak open to cool down. She sometimes bends down to check on the little ones.

I glimpsed three tiny heads with yellow beaks as she was standing. Very exciting and lovely to see!

I hope to see these three little ones growing larger over the next two weeks...

10th May

Growing Fast

Over the next days the tiny chicks changed quickly, becoming recognisably little birds...

Tuesday 14th May 2025

Babies in the nest (Mum behind), 13th May

Sleeping babies in the goldfinch nest showing downy white feathers - 13th May

Hungry mouths to feed! 13th May

Wednesday 14th May 2025

Feeding time for goldfinch babies!

Today is cooler but still sunny on the goldfinch nest this afternoon.

The parents have left the nest a little more over the last couple of days and the babies can be seen in the nest.

Sometimes, they must be asleep, and sometimes they reach their little heads up, their beaks open as if craning for food. Sometimes, the two larger ones will put their heads up to the rim of the nest. I worry that they might fall out, especially as the wind blows.

They are grey and scaly with white fluff. Their eyes are still closed.

The parents often come together to feed the babies and take away poops. The mum still sits on the goldfinch nest a lot, too.

Mum has been standing over the nest with wings open to shield the babies from the sun. She must be like that for hours!

I think there may be 5-6 babies. They look so frail and vulnerable and so dependent on their parents. The little beaks craning upwards, unseeing, searching for food.

Tuesday 20th May 2025

Goldfinch babies in the nest

The babies have grown much larger over the last couple of days.

Two days ago, I first noticed the first tufts of brown feathers. The little birds started preening themselves and each other.

They nearly look like proper little birds now. Their eyes are fully open and alert. They move around a lot, lifting their wings a little, and clamber over each other.

Sometimes, their heads peer over the edge of the nest. Once, I saw one lift his little bum and poop onto the edge of the nest. Once side of the nest seems reserved for pooping (mainly) and the other is where the parents come in to feed the goldfinch babies.

The babies still seem to sleep a lot. They sleep in a mound that looks just like the colour and texture of the nest.

When the mum is in the nest, it seems difficult to sit on moving babies - or they poke their little heads out around the edges. She sits with wings out a little to protect them from the sun.

I can even see the yellow bars on the babies' wings today. But they still have some white down on their heads.

I think it won't be too long before they fledge.

Wednesday May 21st 2025

Goldfinch babies - feathers and fluff!

I think there's 4 or maybe 5!

Thursday May 22nd 2025

A nestful of young goldfinches - I counted 5!

The little goldfinches have grown a lot. They look funny all bobbing up and down in the nest!

They look like proper little birds now with just a bit of downy fluff still poking through the brown feathers. They have a yellow flash on their wings as well as black and white on wings and tails. They don't have the red and black markings on their head. They do have a paler front/chest.

They seem almost too big for the nest and it's funny to see their little heads poking out as they all jostle for position, preen themselves and each other and beg the other babies for food. They still hunker down and sleep in a mound, though! They most often seem asleep in the mornings.

The parents come to feed them, usually together, but one immediately after the other in most cases, hopping up gradually through the branches to reach them and one waiting for the other to finish before taking a turn of feeding the chicks.

When the wind blows the nest is tipped to a 90 degree angle. No birds have fallen so far (as far as I can see). Once, one flapped to keep balance and the mum covered them to protect them. They all seem to hunker down in the nest when it tips.

The earlier poop protocol seems to be abandoned. Poop all down the sides of the nest!

Friday May 23rd 2025

Young goldfinches in the nest

Today, the goldfinches have been flapping a bit and repeatedly looking down over the edge of the nest. The two larger ones were sat on the edge of the nest and maybe on the adjoining branch for a little while. I don't think they'll all be with us much longer.

The parents still come to feed them. And during the sunny afternoons, the mum sits with wings outstretched sheltering her babies from the heat!

I wonder when they'll fledge..?

My friend came to see them, and got some great photos which she's kindly let me share with you (below)!

Photo by Dorothy Jackson

Photo by Dorothy Jackson

Saturday 24th May 2025

Sitting on the edge of the nest looking at the world

On Saturday, the baby goldfinches spent a lot of time sat on the edge of the nest, looking out, especially the larger two of the brood.

The Windy Day

One day brought a moment of real worry as strong wind battered the rose bush and the delicate nest...

Sunday 25th May 2025

Packed in tightly

Getting ready to fledge..?

Sunday was a perilous day - very windy!

The nest was thrashing around, dropping right down and then swinging back up vertically!

The goldfinch mum had carefully fastened it onto the rose branches but I could see that the fastening on the twig this side was beginning to loosen with the weight of a wet nest (it was also raining) thrashing about.

I was very worried about the goldfinch babies and spent all day checking on them.

They seemed to be able to keep their balance well, though, clambering and fluttering, although at one point one was clinging onto the bottom of the nest almost upside down, and flapping!

I was very worried that the whole of the nest might come loose and drop!

I had thought that the older ones were ready to fledge. By late afternoon, sure enough, there were just three in the nest...

I'd seen one going out onto a branch and then hopping back in. I didn't see the older two leave, but I did see three goldfinches flying away, which I believe were the parents and one baby...

Fledging Day

And then, suddenly, the moment arrived when all the young birds were ready to leave the nest...

Monday 26th May 2025

And then there were none!

This morning (Monday), I woke around 7am, and looked out. The goldfinch nest was completely empty (there'd been 3 bobbing about in the late evening as the wind was dying down). I had to assume they'd fledged safely...

I went back to bed for a little while and 20 minutes later, as I was getting up, I heard bird song outside the window. I quickly opened the curtains to look out and saw one of the babies further down in the rose branches.

One of the parents came to the edge of the branch and the baby hopped and fluttered closer...

Then the other parent appeared and hopped through the rose to look into the empty nest (the parents have always approached gradually, alighting on the other side of the rose bush and gradually hopping through the branches, usually the other parent keeping watch.)

Once the goldfinch had checked the nest and seen it empty, it hopped back towards the other parent. The one that had been with the baby flew off first, then the nest-checking parent, with baby flying off behind them just a split-second later, just like that!

And so, I was lucky enough to see the final (fifth) baby fly away to start its new life!

They flew off towards the field, the same direction as the 3 goldfinches I'd seen flying yesterday, which now makes me sure that that was one of the babies fledging, in think no. 2.

I think the babies (and parents) are still nearby, possibly in the conifers opposite, as the Merlin Bird App picked goldfinches up as I walked past the trees and once or twice I've seen an adult goldfinch perched there. I also saw two adult goldfinches sat on the wire next to our house plus one (I'm sure it was one of 'ours') at our bird feeder (picking up some sunflower hearts for their babies).

Later that afternoon, I was in the bedroom and heard goldfinch song again, close by, and saw the two adults coming up back through the rose to look into the nest. I was slightly worried this meant they'd lost their babies!! But one of them proceeded to inspect and peck at the bottom of the nest, so I can only assume that it was looking for a few dropped seeds.

July Update

Some weeks later, there was one final small surprise...

I was very surprised, but in early July, a goldfinch came back to visit the nest. Was it one of the babies remembering where it was born? Or more likely, one of the parents returned to borrow some nest building materials for a new nest? Or to search for possible fallen seeds to eat? 

I'll likely never know but it was really interesting to see that the goldfinch had come back to visit the old nest. Maybe we'll get more visits in the future too?

I've been hearing a little flock of goldfinches in the trees in the field opposite so I like to think that they're 'our' goldfinches! I always wish them well as they fly past twittering away!

The Goldfinch Experience

Watching the little goldfinches grow up has been an amazing experience which I feel so grateful for.

It's been lovely to see them go from tiny eggs, to frail, vulnerable little babies with big bright beaks and their eyes not even open - to fully-feathered bids, alert, agile, and finally able to take to the wing to follow their lives out in the big wide world with their family.

I hope they'll often come back to visit at our bird feeder and in our garden. I want to plant thistles and teasels to attract them now!

Moments like this are exactly why I keep a nature journal. If you're curious about starting your own, you might enjoy exploring how to start a nature journal here.

Goldfinch Folklore & Symbolism

Goldfinches have long captured people’s imagination. With their bright flashes of red, gold, and black, it’s easy to see why they’ve been seen as special birds throughout history.

Across folklore, religion, and art, the goldfinch has been linked with ideas of hope, healing, joy, and renewal. Their golden feathers reminded people of sunlight and prosperity, while their love of thistle seeds gave rise to stories explaining the bird’s red face and its place in Christian symbolism.

As I watched the little family growing in the nest outside my window, it felt rather lovely to think that these tiny birds have inspired stories and meanings for centuries - long before I ever noticed my own pair in the climbing rose...

Goldfinch - Bird of Gold & Good Fortune

The bright colours of the goldfinch have long made people associate the bird with gold itself - sunshine, wealth, and prosperity.

In Tudor times, gold coins were sometimes colloquially called 'goldfinches.' It was even said that if a girl saw a goldfinch on St Valentine’s Day, she would marry a wealthy man. The word goldfinch itself could sometimes be used to describe a rich man.

Even the bird’s name reflects this brightness. The Anglo-Saxon word for goldfinch was 'goldfinc'.

Across Britain and Europe the bird has also been known by many colourful names, including:

• goldspink
• gold linnet
• proud tailor
• seven-coloured linnet
• redcap
• and in Gaelic, 'Las air-choille' meaning 'Flame of the Wood'

All of them reflecting the goldfinch’s vivid colours and lively character.

My hand-drawn goldfinch art

Explore my goldfinch artwork here...

Goldfinch - A A Sacred and Symbolic Bird

The goldfinch also appears frequently in Christian symbolism.

According to tradition, the goldfinch tried to help Christ as he carried the cross to Golgotha, flying down to remove thorns from the crown of thorns. In doing so, drops of blood fell onto the bird’s face - said to explain the goldfinch’s distinctive red mask.

Because of this story, the goldfinch came to symbolise sacrifice, resurrection, and the soul.

Many Renaissance paintings show the goldfinch as a sacred bird alongside the Madonna and Child, including works by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. In these paintings the bird represents the hope of resurrection and eternal life.

Goldfinch Folklore - A Bird of Song & Healing

Goldfinches have also been admired for their beautiful song.

The collective noun for goldfinches is a 'charm'. The word may come from the Middle English chirme, meaning a joyful chorus of birdsong, or from the Latin carmen, meaning a magical song or spell.

In Renaissance folklore the goldfinch was even believed to have healing powers. Leonardo da Vinci wrote of a belief that a goldfinch brought to a sick person could reveal their fate - if the bird turned away the illness would prove fatal, but if it continued to look at the patient it would bring healing.

Later centuries were less kind to the goldfinch. In Victorian times they were often kept as caged songbirds, leading to widespread trapping of wild birds.

One of the earliest campaigns of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) was the famous “Save the Goldfinch” campaign - thankfully successful, allowing these beautiful birds to remain part of Britain’s wild hedgerows today.

Goldfinch Meaning & Symbolism

My hand-drawn goldfinch artwork

So the goldfinch's colour symbolises beauty, light and sunshine, like shimmering gold - it also symbolises wealth or prosperity.

The goldfinch represents healing, life, resurrection and the soul.

And beauty in physical aspect as well as nature through its beautiful song expressing love and joy.

Goldfinches have also been associated with good luck and protection.

While these old stories and folklore give the goldfinch a rich symbolic history, watching the real birds in their nest made the experience feel even more magical...

Watching the Goldfinch Family

Watching the goldfinches raise their young just outside my window felt like witnessing a tiny piece of wild life unfolding quietly alongside my own.

From the fragile eggs to the moment the young birds finally lifted into the air, it was a reminder of how much wonder exists in the everyday places around us - even in the middle of a village street.

Moments like this are exactly why I keep a nature journal. They remind me to notice.

And sometimes they inspire new artwork too…

The Goldfinch Artwork This Experience Inspired

This wonderful experience inspired me to start my new art collection with this very special bird...

Watching the goldfinch family grow inspired me to create a new piece of artwork celebrating this beautiful bird.

I paired my goldfinch with a thistle. Goldfinches love thistle seeds – one of their common names is the ‘thistle-finch’ and even the goldfinch’s Latin name is ‘Carduelis carduelis’ which comes from the Latin word for thistle, ‘carduus’.

The association with thistles is a long one. In Anglo-Saxon times, the goldfinch was sometimes known as ‘Thisteltuige’ meaning ‘Thistle-tweaker’.

Goldfinches have long been symbols of joy, sunlight, and renewal, and I wanted to capture that bright spark of life that they bring to hedgerows and gardens.

If you’d like to bring a little of that goldfinch brightness into your home, you can explore the art print below...

Hand-drawn goldfinch art

Goldfinch (Light, Colour, Joy)

If the goldfinch has caught your attention - that flash of yellow, that lightness and movement - this piece was created as a way of holding onto that brightness.

It grew from watching them move through seedheads and hedgerows, bringing colour and life to even the stillest days.

A piece like this brings a sense of warmth and quiet joy into a space.

Take a closer look at my Goldfinch art print in my Folksy store here (UK)

For international ordering, please take a look at my FAQs page for all the details

Goldfinch Nest FAQs

Love art..?

If you love goldfinches as much as me, you might enjoy my hand-drawn goldfinch art (above)...

You can also find out more inside my little art shop here or see more of my nature-inspired artworks here...

I also have an earlier Celtic goldfinches artwork here...

If you love birds, see my British birds art collection, here...

Celtic Goldfinches art by Lotti Brown - click to find it in my Redbubble store

Love folklore..?

Explore all about wren folklore here...

And all about folklore of the magical kingfisher here...

As well as the folklore and myths of the beautiful song thrush, here...

Not forgetting the sweet little blue tit - folklore here...

Or the colourful chaffinch...

For more British nature folklore content, start on this page, my Folklore Hub...

Love nature..?

If you enjoyed reading about my goldfinch nest experiences from my nature journal, you might also like to find out more about nature journaling and see some of my other nature journal pages - all on this webpage...

You can also get my free guide to getting started with nature journaling, here...

And I have a gentle self-paced course of 20 exercises to help you start nature journaling with ideas to help you journal in your own way while deepening your connection with nature, here...

Deepen Your Nature Journaling Practice

Deepen your nature journaling practice with me...

If you’ve enjoyed my nature journaling reflections, you might also like my 20-lesson course, Imperfect Nature Journaling.

It’s a gently structured, self-paced journey designed to help you:

• Slow down and notice more deeply
• Build confidence in drawing and observing
• Create a calming journaling ritual you can return to
• Feel more connected to the seasons and the natural world

No perfection required. Just curiosity and a notebook.

You can explore the course here whenever you’re ready...

P.S. If you’re just beginning - or would like something quieter and more simple to start with - you might first like to get started with my free 'Getting Started' guide or gain momentum with my 'Gentle Introduction' guide to help you through your first few pages - here...

Shall we stay in touch..?

Each month, I share stories from my own nature journal, new art from my studio, and simple seasonal inspiration to help you feel more connected with the turning year - if you'd like to stay updated, please sign up with your email address below...

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Lotti Brown is a self-taught nature artist and nature journaling educator whose hand-drawn work is inspired by wildlife, folklore, and close observation. With 18 years in creative fields and 10 years creating nature art, she brings deep practical experience to her work. Trained by the Wild Wonder Foundation, she shares nature journaling courses and guides online. Her artwork has been licensed internationally and exhibited at Goole Museum and Bridlington Spa in the East Riding of Yorkshire, UK.