Hawfinches at Bramfield Church

6th December 2024

The first confirmed report of Hawfinches at St Andrews Church at Bramfield this winter was two birds on the 14th November. Since then up to three birds have been seen, but have been far more elusive than in previous years so time for another visit.

There were no Hawfinches on show when I arrived but it gave me the chance to have a catch-up with Ian Conn and Simon Radcliffe and six eyes are better than two. Amazingly no Redwings today feasting in the Yews, but there was a supporting cast of a Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush.

Nuthatches are regular visitors, but this is the first time I have seen one feeding on the ground here.

At that point Ian spotted a single Hawfinch tucked in on the edge of a Yew which gave us our first shots.

Other birds were seen suggesting there might be more than one present , but we never saw more than one at any one time. Let's hope they increase in numbers as the winter draws on.