Collective nouns for bird species are numerous. Many are very descriptive whilst others may seem a little obscure with reasons lost in antiquity. Some examples include a 'murmuration'of starlings; a 'parliament of owls'; a 'murder of crows' and an 'exhaltation of larks'.

But the most appropriate of all must surely be a 'charm' of goldfinches (pictured) which really sums up the colourful almost tropical and endearing member of the finch family.

They are by far the most numerous species in my neighbourhood this spring with flocks of up to sixty birds flitting from plane tree to plane tree along the roadside throughout the day, singing their delightful tinkling canary-like song from dawn to dusk either perched or in flight.

Where there are plane trees then there will be goldfinches as the compact pendulous seed baubles form a steady almost year round supply of food.

Their beaks are specially adapted to access spiky seed pods such as thistles and teasels that other birds may find difficult to probe. This year I installed a nyger seed feeder and the finches love the tiny black seeds with sunflower hearts second choice.

Its fascinating to watch the different species feeding habits. Whereas robins,blue great and coal tits fly to the feeders, pick out a seed in a split second and return rapidly to a nearby tree, goldfinches are more relaxed and leisurely, taking their time to perch for several minutes and savour the food on offer.

Another prime location for the bird is Kingston's Canbury Gardens where plane trees line the river.