Yes, the Lesser Finches we get hate the thistle - they only eat it out of desperation regardless of the year. After a windstorm the feeder was knocked over and the thistle spilled and due to rain, created mold.
I decided just to invest in sunflower chips.
Yes, we have all the woodpeckers, just not where I live specifically (downtown). Pileated are cool, I see them mainly in the more forested and mountainous areas of California.
The Downy is so cute!