We have a backyard bird feeder here in Santa Cruz, California, and have had for several years.
So far this year on only two days have I seen any goldfinches. A couple of months ago there were two, and then again last week one day there were three.
Last year there were often 10 or more goldfinches hanging on the thistle sack. It was a rare day when there were none. It is very lonely looking at that sack this year.
The house finches are here along with a variety of their brethren, but I am starting to get a bad feeling about the goldfinches.