Finches in Norfolk
11 species matching this filter.
Norfolk is home to 11 species of finch, thriving across the county's diverse mix of farmland, heathland, woodland, and coastal habitats. From the familiar Chaffinch and European Goldfinch to scarcer visitors like the Brambling and Hawfinch, the region offers excellent opportunities for observing these charismatic seed-eating birds. For help telling these species apart, take a look at our Types of Finches in the UK: Identification Guide.
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
An uncommon winter visitor often mixing with chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland, numbers varying greatly between years.
Sep–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows, scrubby woodland edges and mature gardens across Norfolk.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and familiar resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Norfolk, with continental birds augmenting numbers in winter.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident most often seen in birch and alder woodland, with numbers increasing during autumn and winter as northern birds arrive.
Sep–May
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident most visible in winter when flocks visit alder and birch trees, often alongside redpolls in riverside woodland.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident seen year-round in gardens, hedgerows and weedy fields, often in lively flocks outside the breeding season.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident of gardens and hedgerows, though numbers have declined significantly due to trichomonosis disease.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive winter visitor, occasionally recorded in mature woodland and parkland, particularly during irruption years.
Oct–Mar
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of farmland, heathland and coastal scrub, often gathering in large flocks on stubble fields outside the breeding season.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare resident of conifer plantations such as Thetford Forest, with numbers fluctuating markedly in irruption years.
Year-round
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor to the Norfolk coast, occasionally found in small flocks on saltmarshes and shingle beaches from October to March.
Oct–Mar