Finches in Rutland
10 species matching this filter.
Rutland, England's smallest county, is home to 10 recorded species of finch, thriving across its mix of farmland, hedgerows, woodland, and the renowned Rutland Water nature reserve. From the familiar Chaffinch and European Goldfinch to scarcer visitors like the Brambling and Hawfinch, the county offers excellent opportunities for observing these colourful seed-eating birds. For help telling these species apart, see our Types of Finches in the UK: Identification Guide.
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland stubble from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A common but unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and woodland edges year-round, often betrayed by its soft, piping call before being seen.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident throughout the year, found in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens across Rutland, with numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident found in birch and alder woodland, present most of the year with a gap in summer when dispersed to breeding sites.
Sep–May
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring alders and birches, most visible in winter flocks but scarcer during the breeding season.
Jul–May
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful year-round resident, often seen in tinkling flocks feeding on teasel and thistle heads across Rutland's farmland and gardens.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows and farmland, though numbers have declined significantly due to trichomonosis disease.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor, occasionally recorded in winter around mature woodland with hornbeam and cherry trees in the county.
Jan
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of hedgerows and farmland, often forming sociable flocks on weedy fields in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare passage visitor in late summer and autumn, appearing during irruptive movements in search of conifer seeds.
Jul–Oct