Serins in Germany
When the Serin (Serinus serinus) is present in Germany, when it nests, and which native Germany plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Germany
- Summer visitor
- Nesting season
- April–July
- Size
- 11.5 cm, 11 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect serins in Germany
The Serin arrives in Germany in spring to breed and leaves again in autumn. Warm summers; mixed woodland and allotments support a wide range of garden species.
Temperate, becoming more continental towards the east and south, with Alpine climate in Bavaria.
Nesting in Germany
In Germany the Serin usually nests April–July. Nest site: cup in trees. Clutches are 3–4 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days; chicks fledge after 14–16 days, and pairs raise 2 per year.
- The Serin does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Germany plants for serins
Of the native plants we track for Germany, these 4 provide food the Serin uses:
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Feeding in the garden
Small seeds.
- Best foods: Nyjer.
- Feeders: Nyjer feeder.
- A common town bird of southern Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are serins in Germany all year?
No. The Serin is a summer visitor to Germany, arriving to breed and leaving in autumn.
When do serins nest in Germany?
Typically April–July. Clutches are 3–4 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days, with 2 per year.
Which native plants help serins in Germany?
Teasel, Common knapweed, Silver birch, Alder are native to Germany and provide food or cover the Serin uses.
Serins in other countries
Other garden birds in Germany
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.