Iver Heath Garden, spring passage of little finches - March/April 2021

This year turned out to be one of the few years when we get an obvious passage of Siskin through the garden. Ever since the bumper year when there were hundreds of birds through the feeding site, but still being trainees, we only did a few hundred when we could get our trainer round, we hope every year for the little birds to return.

The first Siskins were seen at the end of February and it became common for parties of up six or so to be seen. As the spring progressed we began to see Lesser Redpoll too. In fact there was a gradual transition from Siskin to Lesser Redpoll being the most frequently seen or captured birds.

The first Siskins were caught on the 27th of February.

February - 4

Siskin - 4

A single Lesser Redpoll was ringed 1st March with the next bird on the 17th a small groups dropped in to feed, being captured in small numbers from the 30th.

March - 76 (7)

Siskin - 62 (6 & 1 control)
Lesser Redpoll - 14

The one and only control to date was a 6 female Siskin AZK9672 controlled 18th March. The bird had been ringed at Pope's Hill, Gloucestershire on 26th January earlier this year.

Lesser Redpoll male

Siskin adult male

March drew to a close and the Siskins were seen less frequently, but as the last of the Siskin passage were moving through we began to see more Lesser Redpoll. It's unusual to get more than a handful in the garden at any time so the continued surge of small finches has been most welcome. After months when travel and ringing has been limited it's great to have such quality little birds just metres from our backdoor. 

April - 80 (10)

Siskin - 13 (2)
Lesser Redpoll - 67 (8)


We are still seeing a few individuals with a female Siskin recently captured presenting with a BP2 giving cause to believe that she has decided to remain in the area and breed locally.