Finches in Cambridgeshire
8 species matching this filter.
Cambridgeshire is home to 8 species of finch, from the familiar Chaffinch and European Goldfinch to winter visitors such as the Brambling and Common Redpoll. The county's mix of farmland, hedgerows, fenland, and garden habitats provides excellent foraging and nesting opportunities for these seed-loving birds. For help telling these colourful species apart, see our Types of Finches in the UK: Identification Guide.
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining chaffinch flocks on farmland and beneath beech trees.
Oct–Mar
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring thick hedgerows, scrubby woodland edges and orchards. Its soft piping call often betrays its presence.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of hedgerows, gardens and woodland throughout the county. Winter flocks are often boosted by Continental migrants.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor from autumn to early spring, associating with birch and alder stands. Often found in mixed flocks with Lesser Redpolls.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor from autumn to spring, favouring alder and birch along river corridors. Often detected by its tinkling flight call.
Sep–Apr
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, readily visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on waste ground and field margins to feed on thistles and teasels.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common resident of gardens and hedgerows, though numbers have declined sharply due to disease in recent years.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of farmland and rough ground, often forming large winter flocks on stubble fields across the Fens.
Year-round