The Lincolnshire Bird Club

For several years I have seen signs that there is a small breeding population of Siskins in the Market Rasen area. This afternoon I caught a female with a pronounced brood patch (BP3 for ringers) to confirm that they are definitely breeding. Entered on Birdtrack.

Re-trapped the female today still in breeding condition (BP4). This morning (5/5) to confirm breeding I caught a very juvenile Siskin with its' wing and tail feathers very much "in pin." This the first time I can confirm breeding in the Market Rasen area since I started ringing in 1982.

This morning I caught two Siskins at Usselby Plantation that had just started their post juvenile moult. Almost certainly they have bred locally and are part of a second brood.

As someone who does not recall ever seeing a Siskin, I am assuming this Breeding population is unusual in the U.K. context?

Not on the UK context but certainly in Lincolnshire, Aidan. According to the RSPB website there are estimated to be somewhere in the region of 370,000 breeding pairs in the UK. However, the majority are in upland northern England and Scottish coniferous woodland. Some years we get vast numbers passing through the county from February to April but this is the first year I have a proven record of breeding in Willingham Forest.

Interesting, Stuart. It reminds me that I once read somewhere that within living memory, there were Pine Martins present in Willingham Forest. Is this true, or just a myth, I wonder?

Pretty sure siskins have also bred in Ostler's Plantation this year with small numbers noted during survey work on adjacent land from April through to June.

Cheers
Brian