Finches in Kent
12 species matching this filter.
Kent's diverse landscapes — from the chalk downlands of the North Downs to ancient woodlands and coastal marshes — provide excellent habitat for 12 species of finch. Colourful residents such as the European Goldfinch, Greenfinch, and Bullfinch can be spotted year-round, while winter visitors like the Brambling and Eurasian Siskin add seasonal variety to the county's birdlife. For help telling these species apart, take a look at our Types of Finches in the UK: Identification Guide.
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, occasionally joining chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland from autumn to spring.
Sep–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows, orchards and woodland edges. Shy and easily overlooked despite its rosy plumage.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Kent. One of the county's most familiar finches, with a bold, cheerful song in spring.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident, mainly seen in Kent's birch and alder woodland. Numbers fluctuate with periodic influxes of continental birds in autumn and winter.
Sep–May
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring alder and birch woodland. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals; scarcer in midsummer.
Sep–Jun
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A colourful year-round resident, commonly seen in gardens, orchards and weedy fields across Kent, often in lively flocks.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
An uncommon resident found in gardens and farmland year-round. Numbers have declined significantly due to trichomonosis disease.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Kent, occasionally seen in mature woodland from October to March. Continental irruptions can boost sightings some winters.
Oct–Mar
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of open farmland, heathland and coastal scrub. Often forms large winter flocks on Kent's stubble fields.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and irruptive resident of conifer plantations. Sightings peak in late summer and autumn during invasion years.
Jun–Feb
Serin
Serinus serinusLC
A rare spring passage vagrant, occasionally recorded in March at Kent's south coast sites. A prized find for local birders.
Mar
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare passage visitor to Kent's coastal marshes and saltings in November and December, often associating with linnet flocks.
Nov–Dec