We haven't seen a single brambling in the garden this winter, and only a handful of siskins and one greenfinch, but we've been delighted by the numbers of goldfinch, redpoll and chaffinch. Apart from recent weeks, we've had very few chaffinches over the last year, but their numbers are increasing daily now and we were surprised to see 31 feeding together on spilt niger and sunflower seeds today. Goldfinches are regular visitors in groups of up to 35, and redpoll numbers are growing, with 12 the maximum that we've seen together so far. (10 in photo I think - taken through window so not very clear). They might be small, but they're pretty feisty, and quite happy to put a goldfinch in its place!
It's also been good to see the goldfinches and redpolls taking advantage of the garden seedheads which we always leave uncut until spring - Verbena bonariensis is a favourite, and the redpolls have also enjoyed meadowsweet and dock seeds - the males in their wonderful breeding plumage are a particular joy to watch, but they all give us great pleasure and an excuse to sit inside watching rather than tackling the list of jobs that perhaps we should be doing!..........
I spoke too soon about the lack of siskins - 20 here in the windy damp weather this morning!
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