Finches in Lancashire
11 species matching this filter.
Lancashire's diverse landscapes — from the moorlands of the Forest of Bowland to the coastal marshes of Morecambe Bay — support a wonderful variety of finches throughout the year. At least 11 species 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, 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 at garden feeders from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often found in hedgerows and woodland edges. Shy and easily overlooked despite the male's striking pink breast.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident found year-round in woodlands, hedgerows, parks and gardens across Lancashire. One of the most familiar finches in the county.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare resident, occasionally seen in birch and alder woodland across the county. Numbers may fluctuate with winter influxes from the Continent.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring conifer plantations and alder stands. Often visits garden nyjer feeders in winter when numbers are boosted by migrants.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common resident, frequently visiting garden feeders and foraging on teasel and thistle heads across Lancashire's parks and farmland year-round.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common resident found in gardens, hedgerows and parks throughout Lancashire, though numbers have declined in recent years due to disease.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in February. Lancashire lies outside its core range, making any sighting a notable event.
Feb
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident favouring gorse-covered hillsides, farmland hedgerows and coastal scrub. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare breeding visitor to Lancashire's conifer plantations, with sporadic appearances linked to irruption years. Most likely in Bowland and Gisburn forests.
Apr–Oct
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor, small flocks gather on the Fylde coast and Morecambe Bay saltmarshes from November to March. A declining species nationally.
Nov–Mar