Siskin (Carduelis spinus)
Species
Siskin (Carduelis spinus). Male. Taken at Gwenffrwd-Dinas, Ceredigion on May 4th 2022.
Male. Taken at Gwenffrwd-Dinas, Ceredigion on May 4th 2022.
(1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 11 - 12.5 cm

The Siskin is a small, lively finch, which is smaller than a Greenfinch. It has a distinctly forked tail and a long narrow bill. The male has a streaky yellow-green body and a black crown and bib. There are yellow patches in the wings and tail.

It is mainly a resident breeder from southern England to northern Scotland, but is most numerous in Scotland and Wales. Many breeding birds are residents; in winter birds arrive from Europe.

It breeds in coniferous and mixed forest, mainly in spruce.

Birds can form large flocks in winter, which roam far and wide.

This species is not threatened. There are about 369,000 pairs in Britain.

Sightings

31-Jan-2024 : Slimbridge, Glos (30+)
15-Jan-2024 : Buckland Warren, Oxon (20+)

02-May-2023 : Elan Valley, Powys (1)

20-Jun-2022 : Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria (6)
03-May-2022 : Builth Wells, Powys (7)
03-Apr-2022 : Buckland Warren, Oxon (2)

05-Feb-2020 : Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk (c10)

22-May-2019 : Abernethy Forest, Highland (4)
21-May-2019 : Broadford, Skye (2)
05-May-2019 : Elan Valley, Powys (1)
04-May-2019 : Gigrin Farm, Powys (4)
03-May-2019 : Elan Valley, Powys (1)

13-Dec-2018 : Buckland Warren, Oxon (20+)
05-May-2018 : Gilfach, Powys (2)
15-Feb-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (c8)

01-May-2015 : Arne, Dorset (2)

05-May-2014 : Tregaron Bog, Ceredigion (1m,2f)

09-Mar-2013 : Bagley Wood, Oxon

26-Dec-2012 : Eynsham, Oxon (c15)

23-Jan-2011 : Witney Lake, Oxon

22-Dec-2007 : Bagley Wood, Oxon

19-Dec-2005 : University Parks, Oxford, Oxon