The 1988-91 Breeding Atlas identified a major expansion of the breeding range into southern Britain (Gibbons et al. 1993) and subsequently there have been further considerable range gains, especially in the south and west (Balmer et al. 2013). Progressively more CBC plots became occupied during the 1970s and 1980s (Marchant et al. 1990), but samples were insufficient for annual monitoring until BBS began in 1994. Results since then show parallel fluctuations of extraordinary amplitude in England and Scotland. To some extent, this may reflect the occasional large continental influxes affecting spring numbers on a broad UK scale. There has been a decline across Europe since 1980 (PECBMS: PECBMS 2020a>).

Since the 1968–72 Breeding Atlas there has been a 166% range expansion, including gains in Wales, southern and southwestern England and large parts of Ireland. In Scotland, birds have spread into the northeast and onto the Northern Isles and Outer Hebrides. Abundance has also increased since the 1988–91 Breeding Atlas throughout Wales, Scotland and the western half of Ireland.

Bird Atlas distribution change maps show how bird distributions have changed through time. Coloured upward-pointing triangles show places apparently colonised over the period; grey downward-pointing triangles show places apparently vacated. Shading show places occupied.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Siskin is recorded throughout the year.

Weekly pattern of occurrence

The graph shows when the species is present in the UK, with taller bars indicating a higher likelihood of encountering the species in appropriate regions and habitats.

Relative frequency by habitat

The graph shows the habitats occupied in the breeding season, with the most utilised habitats shown at the top. Bars of similar size indicate the species is equally likely to be recorded in those habitats.