Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus )

A small black and yellow bird is heading for British gardens in search of food in what could be the largest invasion of siskins for many years, the British Trust for Ornithology said.

According to the trust, the small member of the finch family (right) normally feeds on pine cone seeds in Scandinavian forests, but a poor crop this year has forced many to cross the North Sea in search of food.
The foreign influx is joining native siskins, also seeing low levels of natural food, on birdfeeders in British gardens. The trust wants to know how big this year's invasion is and is urging households to report sightings.