WILDLIFE
PHOTO: NATUREPL.COM
The waterside pines of the Upper Derwent Valley, Langsett and Longdendale are well-known hang-outs of the crossbill.
Beaky
finders To make it through a Peak District autumn and winter, our resident and visiting birds need to be tough and adaptable. Tom Marshall takes a look at the tools of the trade of our resident and visiting finches, and shares where to track them down on your next visit.
W
hen a beak and what you do with it can be the difference between survival and going hungry, then one group of birds can really show how it’s done. Well-known for their garden appearances and colourful attire, the finches can bring plenty to the table when it comes to making the most
of autumn and winter’s bounty of feeding opportunities in the countryside. Sometimes brute strength and size is what it’s all about (more on that later), but to kick off let’s take a look at one of our smaller diners, the siskin. Striking in its canaryyellow breast, striped belly, bottle green back and black cap, the siskin is a bird well worth looking out for to brighten a cold and dull
winter’s day. Siskin are often found feeding alongside goldfinches and sometimes redpolls, and riverside alder trees and the pine plantations of the Upper Derwent Valley are among their favourite haunts. Their finely-pointed and delicate bill acts as a bespoke item of cutlery, allowing it to make short work of small seeds, out of reach of those with less dainty options. Once a regular www.peakdistrict.gov.uk
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