Redpolls and Goldfinches feeding on Sycamore aphids

 I'm used to finding Lesser Redpolls in the coldest days of winter, when small groups feed quietly on birch catkins. Learning their cheerful 'chi-chip' call, sharper and less liquid than Greenfinches, has helped me detecting them as they move around the city. I was surprised to hear their flight calls amongst a flock of roving Goldfinches at my local cemetery, a misty but mild morning. I trained my binoculars high up on the Sycamores and spotted them, apparently gorging on the last fat sweet aphids still under the Sycamore leaves, together with the Goldfinches. Some Chaffinches and Blue and Great tits were also on the sycamores, but I'm more used to these species feeding on insects. The distance and the poor light didn't make for great photos, but I was pleased to record a behaviour I had never seen before for both Redpolls and Goldfinches.

Sycamore aphids.

Redpoll gleaning sycamore aphids.

Lesser Redpoll.

Lesser Redpoll.

Goldfinches and sycamore aphids.