Finches in Devon
10 species matching this filter.
Devon's diverse landscapes, from Dartmoor's rugged uplands to its sheltered river valleys and coastal hedgerows, provide excellent habitat for a variety of finch species. Ten members of the finch family have been recorded in the county, including familiar garden visitors like the Chaffinch and European Goldfinch, as well as scarcer species such as the Hawfinch and Brambling. 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, occasionally joining chaffinch flocks at beech mast sites across Devon's woodlands.
Oct–Mar
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Devon's hedgerows and woodland edges. Shy and easily overlooked despite its striking plumage.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and widespread resident of Devon's woodlands, hedgerows and gardens. Its cheerful song is a hallmark of spring.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare visitor, most likely in winter when small numbers may join siskin flocks in alder and birch woodland. Absent during late summer.
Oct–Aug
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident, breeding in conifer woods and visiting garden feeders in winter. Often found in alders along Devon's river valleys.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful year-round resident, thriving in gardens, orchards, and weedy field margins. Often seen in charm flocks feeding on teasel and thistle.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident, though numbers have declined due to trichomonosis. Frequents gardens, hedgerows, and farmland across the county.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor, most likely recorded in November during continental irruptions into Devon's mature woodlands.
Nov
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
Found year-round on coastal scrub, farmland, and gorse-covered commons. Numbers have declined but flocks still gather on stubble fields in winter.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and irruptive resident of conifer plantations, notably on Dartmoor and in Haldon Forest. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Aug–Jun