American Goldfinch-Female
American Goldfinch-Female is a traditional cache needed to find
the New Jersey State Symbols Series #6 final cache. This cache
contains the missing North coordinates for NJSS#6 (GC18H2Z) . The
missing West coordinates can be found in American Goldfinch-Male
(GC18H1H). All three caches are in a serene place in
Bernardsville.
This cache is a quick drive from a nearby I-287 exit and the
parallel Route 202. The 276 acre park has a variety of trails for
your enjoyment You can pick-up a trail map in the visitors center
adjacent to the parking lot at the driveways end. The center is
open Tues-Sat from 9-5, Sunday from 12-5 and is closed on Mondays.
The trails here are well maintained and freshly marked. It is open
to the public seven days a week from dawn until 5:00 p.m for nature
study, hiking, photography and caching. Please note that pets and
bikes are prohibited here.
You may want to include a hike to the adjacent National Park on the
New Jersey Brigade trail which is part of the Patriots Path trail
system.
The New Jersey state bird is the American Goldfinch which was
formerly known as the Eastern Goldfinch. Most of us recognize the
Goldfinch by its startling yellow color. This color is however, not
present throughout the year. In breeding season, it is only the
male who is a bright yellow with a black forehead, wings and tail.
It has one white wing bar on each wing and has a white tail. The
female is a yellowish gray to brown on top and can be a bright to
dull yellow underneath. She has two light colored wing bars on each
wing and a light bill. Her tail is black with white tips.
Both birds change colors outside of the breeding season. The
male becomes a drab brown with hints of yellow and white wing bars.
The female is a drab olive above and below. Her wing bars are less
distinct and she has a darker bill.
Pair formation occurs in winter. The American Goldfinch breeds
much later than most songbirds and begins in late June or early
July. Their breeding is timed to coincide with the peak season of
the thistle seed availability. The American Goldfinch breeds for
the first time in the year after they hatch.
The nest is usually erected in an upright fork of a tree, shrub
or sturdy weed. The female builds a nest of a tightly woven
combination of plant fibers and spider webs which she lines with
thistle down. The eggs are usually laid at night. The female
incubates the clutch of 2 to 7 eggs for 12 to 14 days. The male
brings her food during the incubation and brooding period. The
American Goldfinch normally raise one to three broods a year.
Interesting American Goldfinch-Female Fact:
Generally, the American Goldfinch is monogamous, however, some
fifteen percent of experienced females will desert the male to have
a second brood with another male.
First to find prize!
Congratulations Jan and the Man for the FTF!