Lots and Lots of House Finches

During the autumn I have been watching with some amusement as our charm of House Finches (yes, that's the term for a group of finches) has grown. During the summer I could expect to see anywhere from four to six of these gregarious birds gorging themselves on the sunflower- and safflower seed I put out. I counted over a dozen at one point this week, and I am not entirely sure there were more at the feeders out of visual range. I don't think this was a function of natural increase as I should have seen more juveniles earlier in the year. What I suspect is going on is that many bird feeders are still closed for the summer and perhaps a nearby charm or two has found me on wider ranging patrols. Whether they stick around in winter when more feeders will be stocked is an open question. I enjoy these social birds in spite of their astonishing gluttony, and if I keep my larger charm so much the better.