Winter feeding station (Strongstry) has been poor this winter for northern visitors, one Brambling for a couple of days, no Redpoll, not as many Blackbirds, and odd possible northern Chaffinch. Resident finches have been dominated by Goldfinch and Bullfinch with occasional Siskin.

We have another feeding station on National Trust land with little public disturbance this land is rough pasture with Alder Birch White Poplar and lots of Hawthorn, NT planted a typical hedge some years ago which over the last few years has provided excellent finch habitat, a couple of years ago several Greenfinch wintered in the area and then bred for a couple of springs, because of the predicted current cold spell we have continued feeding in this area, during several hours of observations and the use of camera traps we have recorded 30+ Greenfinch in the area and surprisingly for here we have recorded 10+ Lesser Redpoll ( carduelis cabaret ), it will be interesting in the coming week to see if these two species breed in the area.

One of the Redpoll has a ring, but up to now we have no photo where we can read the ring.

Photographs by PaulG, Videos camera traps.

Regards Brian.

-- Edited by brian on Thursday 9th of March 2023 11:35:06 AM