Fabulous finches flood into gardens

01 Jul 2012 | No. 2012-22

Siskins are making a record splash in gardens this summer, as the latest results from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden BirdWatch survey reveal. The influx, which has been most dramatic in Scotland and Wales, is unprecedented and appears to be the result of a good breeding season.

 
There has been an unprecedented
movement of Siskins into gardens

Over the past few weeks, BTO Garden BirdWatchers have been charting an unprecedented movement of Siskins into gardens, where the birds have been seen feeding on sunflower hearts and nyger seed provided in hanging seed feeders. The scale of the influx has staggered researchers monitoring how and when birds use gardens and the resources they provide.

As Mike Toms, BTO Head of Garden Ecology, comments “The scale of this movement into gardens has caught us by surprise. At this time of the year we would normally see Siskins reported from one in twenty gardens nationwide but this year the figure has jumped to one in seven. In Scotland and Wales these delightful finches are being reported from roughly half of the gardens from which we receive weekly reports."

He continued “We believe that the influx stems from the combination of a good breeding season – the Siskin is an early breeder so probably benefitted from the good weather at the start of the year – and the poor weather of recent weeks – with the birds turning to garden feeding stations because of difficulty in finding food elsewhere.”

The BTO has charted a long-term increase in Siskin numbers nationally, the birds benefitting from the extensive areas of conifer plantation that are now reaching maturity and producing seed. Siskins feed and nest in conifer plantations, their population having increased by 77% since 2004.

Many of the Siskins being reported from gardens are young birds and, together with the adults, they may go unnoticed as they feed alongside the larger but superficially similar looking Greenfinch. The BTO has reissued an identification guide to ‘green’ finches to help householders identify these birds.

The guide can be downloaded via the BTO Garden BirdWatch website (www.bto.org/gbw) or a hard copy can be requested from BTO Garden BirdWatch, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU – 01842-750050.

Notes for Editors

  1. The BTO is the UK's leading bird research organisation. Over thirty thousand birdwatchers contribute to the BTO's surveys. They collect information that forms the basis of conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Norfolk, Stirling and Bangor, who analyse and publicise the results of project work. The BTO's investigations are funded by government, industry and conservation organisations.
  2. The BTO Garden BirdWatch is the only nationwide survey of garden birds to run weekly throughout the year, providing important information on how birds use gardens, and how this use changes over time. Currently, some 14,500 people take part in the project. The project is funded by participants' contributions and is the largest year-round survey of garden birds in the world. For more information see www.bto.org/gbw
  3. Find out more about Siskins on BTO BirdFacts and the BTO Garden BirdWatch web pages: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/siskin
    http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/gardens-wildlife/garden-birds/a-z-garden-birds/siskin

Contact Details

Mike Toms
(BTO Head of Garden Ecology)
Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5.30pm)
Email: mike.toms [at] bto.org 

Paul Stancliffe
(BTO Press Officer)
Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5.30pm)
Mobile: 07585 440910 (anytime)
Email: press [at] bto.org

Images are available for use alongside this News Release. Please contact images [at] bto.org quoting reference 2012-22

The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews. Please contact us to book an interview Office: 01842 750050


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