A pair of Siskins (Carduelis spinus), though I confess they're over the fence in my neighbour's garden. The male is the more colourful looking one at the top. Small members of the finch family. Very agile and more often upside down on nuts and feeders, unlike other finches. Particularly feisty for their small size!

Siskins can be seen about here throughout the year, but mostly their visits to the garden are merely occasional. That is until around March, when their numbers usually increase dramatically. They're often associated with birch and alder woodland, and I suspect that some change to the these trees at this time of year causes them to have to hunt further afield for food - there have been noticeably more about this week, with a good number twittering away at the top of the trees.

Why not in my garden? - I took down the nuts as there was not enough nearby cover for hiding from predators. A pair of sparrowhawks were becoming very regular visitors!