Gould stated 'The Lesser Redpole is an extremely neat and trim little bird, and one of the smallest members of its numerous family, the Fringillidae. It is strictly a native of Britain, where it is found in all situations suitable to its habits, both in winter and summer. During the former season, it resorts to the low and fluviate districts where the alder flourishes...in summer, it affects the orchards, gardens and hedgerows...'

The illustration shows a male (above) with a female by their nest and eggs, on a whitethorn branch.

DISTRIBUTION: Breeds across northern Eurasia and northern North America. Winters south to north Mediterranean region, central Asia and central north America. Carduelis flammea cabaret is the subspecies breeding in the British Isles