My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
To view pictures in larger format, just click on any picture for the picture gallery....

Tuesday 10 February 2009

A new garden visitor

I've not had much to post about in the last few days; it's been a grey few days and not necessarily just the weather!

However, this morning I had a much hoped for visitor. Normally Siskins visit my garden in about mid January so I was pleased to see the first one of the winter arrive on the feeders this morning. I managed to grab the camera and whack up the ISO quite considerably so herewith a few rather "noisy" pics - more record shots than anything else!

a Male Siskin (Carduelis spinus)



18 comments:

Midmarsh John said...

Lovely captures Tricia - hardly noisy at all. If I turn my Canon 350D up to maximum these dull days then they really get spotty! I wonder which camera you are using. I can just about get away with ISO 800

John (Midmarsh Jottings)

Tricia Ryder said...

Hi John and thanks. I was using a Canon 50D with an ISO of 800 then 1250 and shot through a double-glazed window in very poor light.

Pictures 1 & 4 were 1250 and 2 & 3 on 800 ISO

Phil and Mandy said...

They are really nice shots Tricia. I would be proud of them. Regards Phil

Tricia Ryder said...

Thank you Phil.

Warren Baker said...

Nice birds for the garden Tricia. I always look forward to their arrival, usually I get most visits in march.

Cheryl said...

Lovely shots Tricia.....I love siskins.....I havn't noticed any in my garden this year, good to see yours......

FAB said...

Very good pics of a species that has never visited me (well not when I'm looking). Lol FAB

swatson said...

superb photos of a lovely bird I have never seen in my garden but I live in hope
Sheila

Stewart said...

Nice one Tricia. I can echo Warren's comment above, Siskins breed in Northumberland but they dont get on to our feeders in any numbers until March or April. Even then, dull cold days are best, because when the sun shines larch cones open and provide natural feeding, keeping the birds up in the trees out of our gardens.

oldcrow61 said...

Great shots. Isn't it exciting when something new shows up.

Jan said...

Great photos Tricia. I love the siskins here, I have two little pairs at present, but mine are here more or less all year luckily.

Linda Yarrow said...

Hi Tricia,

The Siskins are increasing in number in my garden. Last week I had 12. It has been the last two weeks that they increasing. I have always had two to three visiting through Autumn and most of Winter.

Tricia Ryder said...

Warren - that's when mine usually have gone by!

Cheryl - well, mine are later than usual so....

Frank - you're near enough to me to get them - I hope he'll be back though

Sheila - thank you and yes - never give up hope!

OC - oh yes - I never tire of watching the garden visitors, as you never know what's coming next..

Lynmiranda - 12!! and over a long period - that's just plain being greedy LOL.

Tricia Ryder said...

Jan - if you have a pair then......

Anonymous said...

Great shots considering the bad light. Never seen a Siskin in our garden yet, one to look out for this year.

Paul.

Tricia Ryder said...

Paul - you may do one day. In fact Mr. Siskin hasn't been spotted today so perhaps he's on his way to you....

Eagleseagles said...

Well I shall have to tell Bob- he hasn't managed to see any Siskins yet on our travels!

Me - well on the day we went to Osterley in the snow and I heard a flock -(No bins for once)- could not see them well as to the angle of the sun...and to move around I would have been in the water! Back home confirmation that they were siskins from the pics! Thats why no bins - that lens 100-400 get heavy when walking about and in snow?
But as to seeing them on feeders well I have often said you have a Nature Reserve there Tricia!

C

Anonymous said...

Thats a great new visitor Tricia. I think I have only seen one recently from a distance.

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