Abington Naturewatch: News: First report of Siskin

Wednesday 24 February 2021

News: First report of Siskin

Thursday, 18th February 2021

The first Siskin of the winter season was spotted in Abington this week, on Andy M's garden feeders. Initially, one brightly-coloured male was seen on 18th, followed by three, all males, during the following week.

Siskin are small finches that breed in northern and eastern Europe, but during the winter can visit the UK, often in large numbers when food becomes short across the North Sea. Their small size (smaller than a Goldfinch), feisty behaviour on the feeders, and striking yellow and green plumage with a characteristic black cap and bib, makes the males easy to spot.

Male Siskin

Note the black cap, yellow-green head and back, and striking black and yellow wing pattern.

Also a strongly yellow rump most visible when flying away.

Male Siskin.

Note the small black bib too.

Male Siskin on the feeders with a flock of Greenfinch

(note Siskin is smaller, with more strikingly patterned plumage)

Siskin often travel around in winter in mixed flocks with Goldfinch and Greenfinch - all shown to approximately the same scale below:

Male Siskin (11-12 cm long)

Goldfinch (12-13 cm long)

Greenfinch (14-16 cm long)

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)