Where have all the siskins gone? (3 Viewers)

[riverdance]

Good Afternoon
I live in Kerry and over the last 10 years we have enjoyed an abundance of Siskins, we have supported them together with goldfinches by feeding them sunflower and Nyger seeds. Normally on average we have as many siskins feeding as goldfinches. Since early December there has been a complete absence of siskins. By contrast we can have upwards of 50 goldfinches feeding at all times during the day. We feed all year, our rural garden and area has good habitat for finches and we like to think we have built up the local population. But where have they gone? Bird Sightings also show no siskins. Has anyone else experienced this situation?

 

[riverdance]

Good Afternoon
I live in Kerry and over the last 10 years we have enjoyed an abundance of Siskins, we have supported them together with goldfinches by feeding them sunflower and Nyger seeds. Normally on average we have as many siskins feeding as goldfinches. Since early December there has been a complete absence of siskins. By contrast we can have upwards of 50 goldfinches feeding at all times during the day. We feed all year, our rural garden and area has good habitat for finches and we like to think we have built up the local population. But where have they gone? Bird Sightings also show no siskins. Has anyone else experienced this situation?

I am delighted to report that after an absence of six months upwards of 20 Siskins (spinus spinus) have returned to feed on my nyger seed feeders, other parts of Kerry have similarly had them return. Very much like their larger cousins the goldfinch they remain very argumentative!

 

[McHeath]

Good Afternoon
I live in Kerry and over the last 10 years we have enjoyed an abundance of Siskins, we have supported them together with goldfinches by feeding them sunflower and Nyger seeds. Normally on average we have as many siskins feeding as goldfinches. Since early December there has been a complete absence of siskins. By contrast we can have upwards of 50 goldfinches feeding at all times during the day. We feed all year, our rural garden and area has good habitat for finches and we like to think we have built up the local population. But where have they gone? Bird Sightings also show no siskins. Has anyone else experienced this situation?

I live in Berlin and have noticed the same phenomenon; in some years there will be great flocks of them in the alders during winter and spring, in others you will see hardly any. This year has been meagre.