Finches in Hertfordshire

10 species matching this filter.

All birds in HertfordshireView family page

Hertfordshire's mix of ancient woodlands, farmland, hedgerows and suburban gardens provides excellent habitat for a diverse range of finches, with 10 species recorded across the county. From the familiar Chaffinch and European Goldfinch to scarcer visitors like the Hawfinch and Brambling, the county offers rewarding opportunities for finch enthusiasts year-round. For help telling these colourful birds apart, see our Types of Finches in the UK: Identification Guide.

Eurasian Siskin
Eurasian SiskinSmallest · 11cm
to
Hawfinch
HawfinchLargest · 18cm
Ranges from the Eurasian Siskin (11cm) to the Hawfinch (18cm)5 year-round residents
Brambling

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare winter visitor from northern Europe, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and farmland. Numbers vary greatly between years.

Oct–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

A shy resident of hedgerows, orchards and woodland edges. Often heard before seen, with a soft, melancholic call.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common and widespread resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Its cheerful song is one of the first heard in late winter.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to birch and alder woodland. Small flocks may appear from October to April, often mixing with Siskins.

Oct–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Siskin

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

An uncommon winter visitor favouring alder and birch trees near water. Often seen in small flocks at garden nyjer seed feeders.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A colourful and common resident, increasingly visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on seed-rich wasteland and field margins year-round.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Chloris chlorisLC

A common resident of gardens and hedgerows, though numbers have declined due to trichomonosis disease. Still widespread across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Hawfinch

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen in mature woodland and parkland with hornbeam, notably at Tring and Bramfield.

Nov–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Linnet

Linnet

Linaria cannabinaLC

An uncommon resident favouring farmland, rough grassland and scrubby margins. Often forms small flocks outside the breeding season.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red Crossbill

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally irrupting into conifer plantations in October and November.

Oct–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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