A male Lesser Redpoll (top left above and left in both photos below) was in the garden today feeding on Nyger seeds with Siskins and Goldfinches(not shown). I'm surprized that we don't get them more often considering the numbers of Siskins and Goldfinches that pass through the garden.
This winter is the second winter out of the last 4 or 5 that I have been making Nyger seed availble for the birds. The first time it was a complete failure and they would ignore it even when no other food was on offer! This time round the round it is very popular and has the added advantage off not turning mouldy as readily as peanuts or sunflower.
5 comments:
Beautiful photos. I have only ever seen the Lesser Redpoll at the National Botanic, Middleton . . .
P.S. A bit far from home, but you might enjoy Seabrooke's paintings of the Hoary Redpoll here . . .
hi... where in Swansea are you seeing these birds.??
I get only the common stuff.. feeding niger and sunflower..
Hi Caroline, thanks for the comments. I followed the link for seabrook's painting and was very impressed. I need to work on my own sketching so nice to see a drawing in progress.
Hi AJ, apologies for not putting my location on the post. I actually live next to the Gnoll Woods, Cimla, Neath. It has been a long and costly journey getting the numbers of birds visiting the garden to this level. All types of food is provided year round and my theory is that local resident bird numbers build up over time and they then bring in the seasonal visitors from time to time. It took a few years to get Goldfinches returning regularly but now like the Siskins the can be found in the garden throughout the year. There is a definite advantage living next to a wood and close to farmland but if you keep providing food, the birds will find it in the end.
Nice pix Mark - have yet to see a Redpoll or Siskin this year!!
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