Towards the end of February I mentioned how our ‘goldfinch feeder’ took a couple of months before the local goldfinches picked up on it. Since then it has become a regular feeding slot and it isn’t unusual to see both of the perches occupied by these attractive little birds. However, as we said to the neighbour who came round for dinner yesterday, we’ve not seen greenfinches for a couple of years and no chaffinches at all.

What have we spotted this morning? A pair of greenfinches, clearly identifiable, and a pair of chaffinches. We’ve possibly we’ve mistaken the latter for sparrows but their colours are becoming more pronounced. We’re both amazed and delighted by that and Jane has now taken to talking about siskins (also in the finch family)!