Finches in Northamptonshire

10 species matching this filter.

All birds in NorthamptonshireView family page

Northamptonshire's mix of ancient woodlands, hedgerow-rich farmland, and river valleys provides excellent habitat for a diverse range of finches. Ten species have been recorded in the county, from the familiar Chaffinch and European Goldfinch to scarcer visitors such as the Hawfinch and Red Crossbill. 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, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks on farmland and beneath beech trees. Numbers vary greatly between years.

Oct–Apr

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

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but widespread resident of hedgerows and woodland scrub. Shy and unobtrusive, often betrayed by its soft piping call.

Year-round

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

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common year-round resident of woodland, hedgerows and gardens. Its bright song is one of the earliest signs of spring across the county.

Year-round

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

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor, typically found in birch and alder along river valleys from autumn to early spring.

Sep–Apr

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

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

An uncommon winter visitor frequenting alder and birch trees along rivers and in parks, present from autumn through to spring.

Sep–Apr

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

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A common and colourful resident, readily visiting garden feeders and forming large flocks on weedy fields and hedgerows in autumn and winter.

Year-round

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

Greenfinch

Chloris chlorisLC

A common resident of gardens, hedgerows and farmland. Numbers have declined due to disease, but it remains widespread across the county.

Year-round

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

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare and elusive passage visitor, occasionally seen in mature woodland with hornbeam and cherry during late autumn and winter months.

Nov–Jan

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

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Linnet

Linnet

Linaria cannabinaLC

An uncommon year-round resident found on farmland edges and weedy fields. Numbers have declined significantly across the county in recent decades.

Year-round

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

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing in conifer plantations during irruption years, mainly between July and November.

Jul–Nov

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

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