New Feathers

Lots of our resident birds are harder to identify at this time of year since they are losing their old feathers and getting their fresh new ones ready for winter. Young birds may be in juvenile plumage, or moulting to adult male and female plumage. These Siskins came down to drink, but look quite scruffy as they are changing their feathers.

Ducks are particularly hard to ID just now as they are in 'eclipse' plumage - they all look very similarly brown!
​
Identification can be a challenge at the moment - still, it keeps us on our toes!