FINCH FEST

Siskins have cashed in on our love of putting food out for the birds as much as any other species, and now are frequently seen at garden feeders up and down the country. These pretty finches visit year-round, but numbers usually peak in March as birds fuel up before heading to breeding areas. They may stay to nest in gardens with tall conifers, however. Siskins are smaller and daintier than similar-looking greenfinches, though will dominate birdfeeders and threaten larger species with openwinged displays of aggression.

GET INVOLVED Join the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch project: www.bto.org/gbw