Missing Siskins

[Hedgehoggy]

This is the third winter running I’ve not had any Siskins visiting my garden. When I first moved here nearly 8 years ago I used to have in excess of 50+ (no exaggeration) descend every winter, then with each passing winter I noticed their numbers dwindling to the point where I now haven’t seen a single one for 3 years. They were my fav winter garden visitors - their sunny disposition, day-long twittering and plumage used to brighten up the drabbest winter’s day – I miss seeing them. Does anybody know if they’ve experienced a crash in numbers similar to the Goldcrests’ plight? (which I no longer have visiting in the winter either ).

[big bill]

Hi Hedgehoggy I dont think its just you ,I am the same I normally have about 6+ at the feeders by now but they are absent this year wether its because of the weather I don`t know maybe someone else may have the answer?

[Hedgehoggy]

Thanks Bill. I found this info this morning (from Birds of Britain Web Magazine):

Like bramblings, siskins tend to winter in widely different areas in succeeding years. One winter's birds caught and ringed here were retrapped in later winters in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and Austria. To survive they need to seek different localities each year wherever seed crops are good.

So, perhaps our previous yearly visitors have been different flock rotations?

[animartco]

I don't normally have siskins but found one in my garden recently with a broken wing! It was only the fingers and she could still fly... too much for me to be able to catch her. I hope she survives.

[Dogghound]

There are a good number of decent flocks of around 40+ birds here although in the local woodland, I never get them in the garden. Had good numbers in early Autumn coming off the sea at Scarborough and Flamborough too.

[Paul mabbott]

They never reach here until the end of the month; but it's very intermittent - some years just passing pairs, other years biggish flocks, some of which take up residence in the woodland edge for several weeks.

[Susie]

I rarely get siskins but a few weeks back I got one in a charm of goldfinches. A week or so later there were two in the charm. This week I have had dozens and dozens of siskins; a real treat!!

[Hedgehoggy]

Ooooh, well if they're already with you Dogghound in North Yorkshire, and Paul is expecting them in South Yorkshire at the end of this month, there's a teeny weeny chance that I may still get a visit from them here in the West, even if they're just passing through on the way to yours Paul! I hope so!

Susie, did you really need to rub the salt further into my wounds? (we need a 'green with envy' emoticon!).

[Susie]

I'm just trying to show that even if they aren't with you yet, they may well be on their way.