A Lesser Redpoll pair - and more garden birds

A small flock of Siskin continued to visit the feeders in Andy M's garden last week, joined more occasionally by a Brambling, and on Friday they were joined by a pair of Lesser Redpoll - all three species being members of the finch family that visit the UK in winter. 

Lesser Redpoll - with a characteristic red crown, 

and in the case of the male, pinky-red chest patches.

Male Lesser Redpoll (below) and two male Siskin

Female (left) and male (right) Siskin

A trio of male Siskin and a Greenfinch

Male Siskin

Male Siskin

Female Lesser Redpoll

Female Lesser Redpoll

Male Chaffinch

Robin

Male Blackcap taking a quick drink from the pool

Male Reed Bunting - with the distinctive black head, cheeks and bib,

with contrasting white neck ring and moustache

Male Reed Bunting - showing black cheeks and bib, with white moustachial stripes

Female Reed Bunting - with a more streaked belly, and a chestnut-brown crown 

with a paler central stripe.  Females also have the white moustachial stripes, but this one

has unusually dark cheeks, which tend to fade during the year.

Female Reed Bunting