Siskins

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 We get sporadic visits from siskin, and so far I haven't managed to get a photograph. We had a fleeting visit from male siskin yesterday and as my camera was to hand so here we go.


Its not a surprise that these birds only appear from time to time. Siskins prefer to be in spruce trees and don't have a territory as such but are nomadic. The books say they don't usually visit gardens unless they are hungry (although I used to get them all the time at my garden in the Highlands). Siskins are small finches. The male has a black crown but the female doesn't. It's easy to get a female siskin confused with a greenfinch but siskin are streaky and have quite a forked tail. If I manage to get a photograph that isn't taken through the double glazing I will update this!

Siskins are resident in the UK but numbers are boosted in the winter by European migrants. Sometimes siskin fly in flocks that may be mixed with redpolls.


                                                                            Diary

We were quietly watching TV last nighty when we heard a hoarse barking sound from outside. Closer investigation revealed it to be a roe deer (doe) on the other side of the fence. She didn't appear to be in distress so perhaps she was communicating with the buck who was on the other side of the field. Weather much milder today but still not up to seasonal norms.


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