Siskins

Lockzie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 09:32 AM

Hi All

Since the begining of January 11, I have had siskins in the garden, up to 40+ some days. Over the past week, the numbers have been dwindling. Yesterday was the first day I didnt see any :-( My garden feels quite lonely now without them

Where do they go to? I am in Macclesfield, Cheshire

Here are a couple of pics I took:

Regards
Lockzie

bigdave60dog · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 09:41 AM

I am in my sixties and have been a naturalist all of my life. It was not untill I moved to Scotland that I discovered that Siskins are a British breeding bird.
I had always thought that they are winter visitors.
They breed all over the place in the North and Central Highlands.
That`s one place that they go to.
Others will soon populate the map with breeding Siskins I`m sure.
Dave

AdeeH · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2011, 07:34 AM

This year Siskins are regular visitors to the pond and feeders at the main hide in the grounds of the RSPB headquarters Sandy Beds, I think the cold winter has bought them further south than normal, the same with the redpoll and waxwings.

~T~ · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2011, 08:05 AM

I'm the same and in in Scotland. This time last month I would regularly get 50+ visiting at a time. Now I only see about half a dozen or so.

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdeeH

This year Siskins are regular visitors to the pond and feeders at the main hide in the grounds of the RSPB headquarters Sandy Beds, I think the cold winter has bought them further south than normal, the same with the redpoll and waxwings.

The Siskins are often common in the south during winter. More related to tree seed supply than cold weather; again Waxwing arrrivals are mainly governed by berry supply further north.