Siskins have become regular garden visitors in winter as alder and birch seed crops decline. Their welfare depends on nyjer seed feeders and understanding their nomadic movements.
Siskin welfare during winter irruption years depends on food availability as flocks move through areas following seed crop failure in their usual northern feeding grounds. Garden nyjer seed feeders provide a consistent food source when natural seeds are scarce. In years of abundant birch and alder seed crops, garden feeders are used less and siskins remain in woodland. Maintaining garden feeders through winter provides a reliable welfare support network for these nomadic finches during cold spells when energy reserves are depleted.