15/04/2018 My Garden, Abram, Wigan

Siskin: ****A GARDEN FIRST****

I'm always thrilled when I get a new species of bird in my garden, it doesn't happen all that often, and makes me think the work that I am doing in my very own garden patch is working.

Not only was it a joy to see this siskin enjoying the seed I have on offer, but also watching the pair of blue tits and great tits nest building in their bird boxes. This would be the fourth year for the blue tit and the third for the great tit in the same boxes since Dawn and I bought this house.

I get a huge amount of enjoyment out of watching the birds in the garden, putting out food and watching the birds dart onto the feeders. I know I'm certainly not alone, but I look at my neighbours gardens and don't see any feeders, no bird boxes nothing!

These people must be mad!

Siskin & Goldfinch: The little yellow bird hung around most of the morning, often on its own but would be occasionally joined by some of the local goldfinch.

20/09/2016 My Garden, Abram, Wigan

Willow Tit: Over the past few weeks I have been treated to not one but two Willow Tit regularly visiting my garden feeders.

More than 10 per cent of the UK’s Willow Tit population live in the area around Wigan, St Helens, Warrington and Chorley.

Goldfinch: This is critical as nationally the UK population has fallen by 90 per cent in the past 30 years placing it on the red list of species of conservation concern!


I will make sure to keep the feeders topped up over the colder winter months to help these little beauties along.

Another welcome bird that brings a bit more colour are Goldfinch, I have good numbers visiting that swell in Winter.

I do really enjoy my garden and watching the visitors on the feeders - a real joy.

19/08/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB

Goldfinch: The weeks wader run down on the reserve includ Dunlin, Ruff, Reenshank, Spotted Redshank, Green and Common Sandpiper, Snipe in their dozens, Little Ring Plover and tens of Black Tailed Godwitts.

The highlight was certainly the Marsh Harriers, five all in all with one having green wing tags attched to both wings.

14/08/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB

Goldfinch: Back on the feeders at BMW and there has been lots of activity but nothing outstanding, the usual suspects, garden birds and squirrels.

But don’t despair with Greenshank, Spotted Redshanks common sightings on the reserve along with reports of Wood Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper the autumn migration and return of warders is well underway.

Watch this space for the more passing migrants and who know there might be the odd rare bird!