Irish Garden Birds - Rambunctious Redpolls

We're past the halfway point of this winters Irish Garden Bird Survey - this is the time of year when bird numbers and diversity tend to increase in gardens, as the weather gets a bit colder and the natural food sources in the wider countryside are depleted. Remember to keep feeding your garden birds, and water is important too. And lastly, be sure to give your feeders and water dishes a regular clean to ensure your birds stay healthy!

This edition of the blog is a classic 'January' species in the Irish Garden Bird Survey - the Lesser Redpoll!

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Species Profile: Lesser Redpoll

As Gaeilge: ‘Deargéadan’

Irish Garden Bird Survey Ranking 2017/18: 27th place

Conservation status: Green-listed in Ireland and 'secure' at European level.

Lesser Redpoll (Kevin Murphy)

Did You know?

1. The most common species of Redpoll in Ireland is the Lesser Redpoll - which has only recently been recognised as a seperate species to the Common (or Mealy) Redpoll, which is a bit larger and paler. Common/Mealy Redpolls occur here in small numbers in the winter, and there are also occasional sightings of the even more pale Arctic Redpoll! 
2. Lesser Redpolls are a small species of finch - only slightly bigger than a Blue Tit. They have tiny beaks that are adapted to feed on very fine seeds. They often associate, or even flock with, other fine-seeding-eating finch species; namely Goldfinches and Siskins. So if you've had a flock of Goldfinches visiting your garden this winter, it's worth keeping an eye on them at this stage of the winter to see if they've brought some of their smaller cousins along with them! 
3. ID-wise, the red isn't always obvious - particularly on the females, but if you're seeing a small brown streaked finch in your garden then chances are you're looking at a Lesser Redpoll.
4. In the summer they breed in young conifer plantations and scrubby woodland that you might find down country lanes and boggy areas - keep an ear out for their call as they fly overhead! 
5. They're a widespread breeder across the country now, but believe it or not breeding in Ireland was only first recorded in Co. Kerry in 1910. 

Lesser Redpolls, Linnets and Goldfinches feeding on Nyger Seed on a snowy winters day. (Shay Connolly)

How long do they live?

The oldest known Lesser Redpoll in Ireland and Britain was 6 years, 10 months and 11 days old.. Their typical lifespan is around 2 years however.

Male Lesser Redpoll. (Shay Connolly)

What do they feed on? 

Lesser Redpolls are small and have very fine bills, which means they're perfectly adapted to hanging from very small branches and eating the seeds and cones of Birch, Alder, Larch and other young conifer trees. As these food sources get depleted over the winter, they'll move into gardens - favouring Nyger Seed whether in a feeder or scattered on a bird table. They will eat from peanut feeders too.

Lesser Redpoll (right) and their cousin the Siskin (left), both enjoying the spoils from a Nyger Seed feeder. (Terry Flanagan)

Irish Garden Bird Survey Trends:

Looking at the last 20 years of Irish Garden Bird Survey results, Lesser Redpolls were only recorded in less than 20% of gardens in the late 1990's and early 2000's, but made significant gains over the last 15 years or so to eventually be recorded in over 40% of gardens in 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2015/16.

Last year they were recorded in 35% of gardens, and on average over the last 20 years they are seen in around 30% of gardens each winter. That means they generally come in the top 30 birds in Irish gardens each year, and occasionally making it into the top 25. Cold winters, poor seed crops in their preferred conifer trees, and good breeding seasons are all causes for their particularly high numbers in gardens in some winters!

Lesser Redpolls in Irish Gardens over the last 20 years.

Movements and Migration:

There is some movement of our Lesser Redpolls between the summer and the winter. First of all, birds flock outside the breeding season so they will roam around the countryside throughout the autumn and winter. Many of our birds stay in Ireland, but some move to the UK in the autumn. Five Lesser Redpoll ringed at our East Coast Nature Reserve in Wicklow in September 2006 were retrapped over the following winter and spring in various parts of the UK, while another turned up in Belgium in 2008! Depending on the severity and the quality of the autumn seed crop they may be forced to move to central Europe during some winters. Similarly, birds from Scandinavia facing the same pressures are occasionally forced down into the UK and Ireland too.

Lesser Redpoll from Britain & Ireland caught elsewhere. https://blx1.bto.org/ring/countyrec/resultsall/rec16634all.htm for full details

How can I help Lesser Redpolls?

Because of their very specific breeding habitats, Lesser Redpolls aren't the type of bird that will take to a nestbox in your garden. They are a very small bird however, so putting out food for them in the winter will help increase their survival rates and ensure they make it to the next breeding season alive and well and in good condition! With that in mind, Nyger Seed is the best thing to put out for them - either in feeders, or scattered on a bird table. Keep an eye out for them throughout January, February and even March - if a few birds find your feeders they'll probably bring more and more friends as the weeks go on!

We sell a wide range of bird foods from the BirdWatch Ireland shop, and all profits go towards funding our vital conservation work.

We also supply a number of different sizes and shapes of special nyger seed feeders. 

Lastly, a valuable step you can take to protect and conserve Ireland's birds is to become a member of BirdWatch Ireland.  Membership makes an ideal gift for family and friends – one that keeps on giving throughout the year.

With your membership pack you'll get a free gift, posters of Irish Birds, a Greenland White-fronted Goose pin badge, loads of leaflets on how to attract birds to your garden, and our famous Wings magazine will be delivered to your door four times per year. 

Under 18's and family memberships will also receive our 'Bird Detectives' magazine twice a year, filled with fun and educational activities!

Our Membership Magazines - 'Wings' and 'Bird Detectives'

Our membership pack - full of great information about Ireland's birds, including posters and the most recent copy of our 'Wings' membership magazine

I hope you've learned something new about Lesser Redpolls through this species profile - if there's a species you'd like us to cover later in the winter please let us know on facebook or twitter!

And if you're not taking part already, consider taking part in our Garden Bird Survey this winter - and spread the word to friends and family - the more the merrier!