Eurasian Siskin near Buraidah – Bird records by Ragu Shanbogue

Whilst birding the Buraidah area this winter Ragu Shanbogue found and photographed a Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus. He has kindly allowed me to use his photos on my website of which two are shown below. They are seen regularly in the north of the Kingdom including Harrat al Harrah Reserve where they are a winter visitor but have also been seen from April to June. They appear to be more common if the weather is colder to the north of the Kingdom. In the Riyadh & Central Arabia area the Birds of Thumamah 1988-1994 mentioned them as a scarce winter visitor. A small influx from 16 November to 16 December 1990 with a maximum of 12 birds near the village and 11 on the dairy farm. A second influx occurred in November 1993 with 30-40 birds on 11 November. Also seen spring 1994 with 15 in new pivot field 9 March and six there 30 March. Birds of the Riyadh Region (Stagg 1994) mentioned they were an occasional winter visitor. Sporadically appears between November and March, mainly in years when harsh conditions prevail in northern climates. Sometimes ones and twos only, other times flocks of up to 20.