Siskins!

Cordaline · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 01:42 PM

Back in December Blue Tits & Chaffinches were the majority species in my garden.
In January the Long-tailed Tits & Goldfinches took over.

This month I have lots of Siskins!

I count at least 6-8 pairs so far & the number seems to be increasing by the day!

Watching them in the rain this morning, jostling with the Goldfinches over the sunflower heart feeder was amazing!

I've been out for a couple of hours & come back to find they've gone through half the feeder between them just today!

Do Siskins nest in boxes?
I haven't put mine up yet & was wondering, seeing as there are so many around, whether they would.

Jim Ford · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 01:51 PM

I don't think they nest in Southern England. The only time I've seen them in summer is in Scotland, so I guess they breed there. Like you, I'm seeing lots of them now - also redpolls. They both quarrel with each other and the goldfinches!

Jim

RoyW · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 02:06 PM

They do breed in the south, but generally in very small numbers, and with most in conifer plantations. Most of the ones that we see down here in the winter will start to head north to Scotland and/or Scandinavia from March onwards.

They don't nest in boxes or tree holes, like most (all??) finches they make a cup shaped nest in dense vegetation, or against a tree trunk. Siskins will more often than not built their nest among the needles on the outer parts of a conifer branch.

Tursiops2 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 02:08 PM

Small numbers of Siskin breed in southern Britain EBCC | Atlas of European Breeding Birds
but usually in coniferous woodland, and I don't think they use nestboxes.
T2

Dogghound · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2011, 02:29 PM

I rang 3 and had 60+ overhead today at a site in dalby forest. Great birds, we have a moderate breeding population around here, although I never get them in the garden so lucky you.

pitre · #6 (**permalink**) 11-02-2011, 07:11 AM

We have loads during the winter but then they seem to disappear over the spring/summer Jim's comment of nesting in the north would explain this

Peter

Cordaline · #7 (**permalink**) 11-02-2011, 07:57 AM

Counted a combo of 24 Siskins & Goldfinches at 8am!

Gonna have to get out there & fill up that feeder shortly 'coz it's all but empty now!

Endrick · #8 (**permalink**) 11-02-2011, 10:02 AM

Loads of siskins in my garden just now along with lesser redpolls, brambling, blue tits and goldfinches. The siskins seem to be the most aggressive.

Adam Cheeseman · #9 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 11:41 AM

Plenty of Siskins again this morning in Cordaline's garden. At least 6 at any one time on the feeder and several in the fruit tree and more in the adjacent Hornbeam trees. Lesser Redpolls flying over steadily too.

Cheers,

Adam

~T~ · #10 (**permalink**) 13-02-2011, 01:18 PM

I have quite a few coming to my feeders though today as I was watching them a cat leapt out of the trees and caught one. By the time I got outside it was nowhere to be seen though was back within 5 mins so hopefully the bird escaped (or maybe it's just a fast eater).