Sunflower feast

SIR – Since switching to sunflower seeds in my bird-feeders six months ago, I’m awash with finches of all types (Letters, December 21).

However, the most amazing sightings brought about by offering sunflower seeds have been a lesser spotted woodpecker, a middle spotted woodpecker and several nuthatches.

Are we responsible for changing bird behaviour? Brian Curd

St Ives, Dorset

SIR – Chaffinches too have learnt to eat sunflower hearts from the hanging feeder. Woodpeckers will eat the sunflower seeds on the table but haven’t worked out how to take them from the hanging feeder. They all share the fat balls, sometimes together. They clearly learn from each other.

Perhaps I should dig up the lawn and plant sunflowers. Sheila Ellison

Thatcham, Berkshire