Finches in Nottinghamshire
11 species matching this filter.
Nottinghamshire is home to 11 recorded species of finch, ranging from familiar garden visitors like the Chaffinch and European Goldfinch to scarcer species such as the Hawfinch and Parrot Crossbill. The county's mix of ancient woodlands, including Sherwood Forest, farmland hedgerows, and suburban parks provides varied habitats that support both resident and migratory finches throughout the year. For help telling these colourful birds apart, see our Types of Finches in the UK: Identification Guide.
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of thick hedgerows and scrubby woodland. Shy and unobtrusive, often detected by its soft piping call.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and familiar resident of gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows throughout the county, present all year with a cheerful, ringing song.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon visitor to birch and alder woodland, most often seen in winter flocks at Sherwood and along the Trent Valley.
Jul–May
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
Present year-round but uncommon, favouring alder-lined waterways and conifer plantations. Numbers swell in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A colourful and common resident, often seen in flocks on teasel and thistle heads in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common resident of gardens, parks, and farmland hedgerows, though numbers have declined sharply due to disease. Its wheezy song is a familiar sound.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive winter visitor, occasionally recorded in mature woodland with hornbeam and cherry trees.
Nov–Mar
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and weedy margins, sometimes forming sizeable flocks in winter. Numbers have declined significantly.
Year-round
Parrot Crossbill
Loxia pytyopsittacusLC
An extremely rare irruptive visitor; occasionally recorded in conifer plantations during invasion years.
Dec
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and irruptive visitor to conifer plantations, most likely in autumn and late winter. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Oct–Apr