Finches in Cheshire
9 species matching this filter.
Cheshire's diverse landscape of farmland, hedgerows, woodland and river valleys provides excellent habitat for nine species of finch. From the familiar Chaffinch and European Goldfinch to scarcer visitors like the Brambling and Hawfinch, the county offers rewarding opportunities for finch enthusiasts throughout the year. For help telling these colourful birds apart, see our Types of Finches in the UK: Identification Guide.
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and lingering into early spring. Often found among Chaffinch flocks beneath beech trees.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and woodland edges, often betrayed by its soft, piping call. Declining nationally.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and widespread resident of woodland, hedgerows and gardens, with a cheerful descending song heard from late winter.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident favouring birch and alder woodland, sometimes visiting garden feeders in winter flocks.
Sep–Jul
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often found in alder and birch woodland. Numbers increase in winter when Continental birds join local populations at garden feeders.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, flocking on teasel and thistle heads in autumn and visiting garden feeders year-round.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident in gardens, parks, and hedgerows. Numbers have declined due to trichomonosis disease, though it remains a familiar sight.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor, occasionally recorded in late autumn among woodland and parkland with hornbeam or cherry.
Nov–Dec
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident favouring weedy farmland, gorse-covered commons, and coastal scrub. Often forms sociable flocks outside the breeding season.
Year-round