Siskins are small finches usually found in coniferous forests, they can form large flocks, often associating with Goldfinches and Redpoll. In winter months, especially if there is hard weather in Scandinavia or Eastern Europe huge numbers of continental birds will move west to augment our local populations and take advantage of the available food sources associated with our milder weather here in the U.K. Over the last couple of weeks whilst out doing some local birding I have come across good numbers of Siskins feeding high in Silver Birches or Alders. The seeds and cones of these two species of tree seem to be a favourite food source of this small hyper-active finch, feeding birds often form acrobatics as they search out the soft seeds in the tallest parts of the trees. Siskins can also be tempted into your garden, especially during hard weather with black Nigril seed which they particularly like. More often than not when looking for Siskin, you get a silhouette in the highest branches of a tree; showing a characteristic forked tail and if the light is in your favour a quick glimpse of yellow and green. However, on occasions you can get lucky if you find Siskins that have been attracted to a feeder or you come across a small flock that are feeding on the lower branches of a stream side Alder; if you approach quietly you can get some stunning views.
