Finches in Northumberland

11 species matching this filter.

All birds in NorthumberlandView family page

Northumberland's diverse landscapes, from the Cheviot Hills and ancient woodlands to the rugged coastline and rolling farmland, provide excellent habitat for 11 species of finch. Resident favourites such as the Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, and Greenfinch are joined by seasonal visitors including the Brambling and Eurasian Siskin, while the elusive Hawfinch can occasionally be spotted in mature deciduous woodland. 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)8 year-round residents
Brambling

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, occasionally joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and around farmland feeding stations.

Sep–Apr

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

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

A shy, year-round resident of hedgerows, woodland edges, and mature gardens. Its soft piping call is often heard before the bird is seen.

Year-round

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

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Autumn flocks are swelled by Continental migrants on the coast.

Year-round

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

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

A rare year-round resident, favouring birch and alder woodland. Small flocks may visit garden feeders in winter.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

An uncommon resident breeding in conifer forests. Visits garden feeders in winter, especially near woodland.

Year-round

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

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A colourful and common resident, frequently seen in chattering flocks feeding on teasel, thistle, and garden nyjer seed feeders.

Year-round

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

Greenfinch

Chloris chlorisLC

Present year-round but declining, found in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland edges. Numbers have dropped sharply due to disease.

Year-round

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

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare passage visitor in November, this elusive finch may appear briefly in mature woodland with hornbeam or cherry trees.

Nov

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

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Linnet

Linnet

Linaria cannabinaLC

Common across Northumberland's gorse-covered hillsides and farmland hedgerows, often forming large flocks on stubble fields in winter.

Year-round

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

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare resident of conifer plantations, especially around Kielder. Numbers fluctuate with cone crop availability.

Year-round

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

Twite

Linaria flavirostrisLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to coastal stubble fields and saltmarshes, present from autumn through early spring.

Oct–Apr

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

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