Brambling and Siskin - and other colourful garden birds

10th March - like many, Andy M has been working from home during lockdown, and is lucky enough to have a good view of the birds coming and going in his garden. 

Despite the somewhat drab weather, a colourful selection of birds were seen during the week, including a male Brambling - a more unusual finch that visits the UK during the winter. In this case, it appeared to be part of a mixed flock of mainly Chaffinch under the feeders. The male Brambling is similar to a Chaffinch, but has a streaked brown back, and a characteristic rufous-orange shoulder patch. The grey head, sometimes has the first patchy signs of the black head of its summer plumage showing through.

Another winter finch, the Siskin, has also started appearing on feeders in increasing numbers across the village in the last week or two. The male Siskin is a small, but strikingly-coloured finch, with a smart black cap, bright yellow-green cheeks and rump, a green streaked back, contrasting black and yellow wing pattern, and an obviously forked tail.

A pair of Red-legged Partridge also appeared under the feeders, along with a pair of male Reed Bunting, both being unusual visitors to Andy's garden.

Male Brambling (far right), similar to the male Chaffinch (centre), 

but with a mottled back and rufous orange shoulder patch

Male Brambling (centre), with Chaffinch (left and right), and Greenfinch (far left)

Male Brambling (facing away centre), with Chaffinch and Greenfinch

And here come the Red-legged Partridge, sneaking down the garden towards the feeders

Red-legged Partridge - an unusual visitor to Andy's garden

Red-legged Partridge 

The small but strikingly colourful male Siskin (left), and a Goldfinch

Male Siskin showing the characteristic yellowy-green

streaked back, strongly yellow cheeks and rump, and 

pronounced black and yellow wing markings

Two male Reed Bunting - note the chestnut-streaked back, dark head and 

characteristic white neck ring and moustache

Male Reed Bunting

Jay