Finches in Dorset
10 species matching this filter.
Dorset is home to 10 species of finch, ranging from the familiar Chaffinch and European Goldfinch to scarcer visitors such as the Brambling and Hawfinch. The county's diverse habitats — from heathlands and ancient woodlands to coastal hedgerows and farmland — provide excellent feeding and nesting opportunities for these seed-loving birds. For help telling these colourful species apart, take a look at our Types of Finches in the UK: Identification Guide, and discover What Do European Goldfinches Eat? to attract them to your garden.
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Dorset's hedgerows and scrubby woodland edges, often heard before seen.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident found in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Dorset, with numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally found in birch and alder stands from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident, most conspicuous in winter when flocks visit alder trees and garden feeders across Dorset.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, readily seen in gardens, meadows and along hedgerows throughout the county.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common resident of gardens and farmland, though numbers have declined sharply in recent years due to disease.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare passage visitor in February, occasionally seen in mature woodland with hornbeam and cherry trees. Extremely shy and easily overlooked.
Feb
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
Common on Dorset's heathlands, coastal scrub and farmland, often forming large flocks on stubble fields in winter.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare resident of conifer plantations, with numbers varying greatly between years depending on irruptive movements.
Year-round