Finches in Hampshire
10 species matching this filter.
Hampshire's diverse landscapes, from the ancient woodlands of the New Forest to the chalk downlands of the South Downs, provide excellent habitats for 10 species of finch. Resident favourites such as the Chaffinch, European Goldfinch and Bullfinch can be spotted year-round, while winter visitors like the Brambling and Common Redpoll add seasonal variety. 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, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in Hampshire's beech woodlands and farmland. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A shy resident of hedgerows and scrubby woodland edges. Often detected by its soft, melancholy call; a UK priority species due to ongoing declines.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
One of Hampshire's most abundant residents, found in woods, hedgerows, and gardens year-round. Its cheerful song is a hallmark of spring.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon visitor to birch and alder woodland, most often seen in winter flocks. Scarce during the breeding season in Hampshire.
Jul–Apr
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
Present year-round but most conspicuous in winter, when flocks visit alder trees and garden feeders across the county.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful year-round resident, often seen in flocks on seed heads. Readily visits garden feeders, especially nyjer seed.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident in gardens and hedgerows, though numbers have declined sharply due to trichomonosis disease since the mid-2000s.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive resident, with the New Forest being a national stronghold. Best looked for in winter around hornbeam and yew trees.
Oct–Jun
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of Hampshire's farmland, heaths, and coastal scrub. Forms sociable flocks outside the breeding season, often along the coast.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare but resident finch of the New Forest's conifer plantations. Irruptive movements bring variable numbers; its crossed bill is adapted for extracting pine seeds.
Year-round