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01-04-2006, 04:47 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 449
| | | Help with Hawfinch
Hi gang,
I was hoping you would be able to give me some advice.
One bird I have always wanted to see in the wild has been a hawfinch (iv seen them in captivity but its not the same really) There is supposedly some reported in a site close to me, but as of yet I haven’t spotted one. I hear they are a difficult bird to see, often staying high in the canopy.
I was wondering if anyone has seen them, and if so could you give me any tips on spotting this striking bird,
Many thanks,
nicole  |
01-04-2006, 05:28 PM
|  | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nottingham
Posts: 12,356
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Unfortunately not from me, the Hawfinch is one bird I've yet to see. As you say, they do stay high and deep, that's the problem, and as Spring approaches it's going to get harder and harder to spot them..  |
01-04-2006, 05:43 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 449
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Hang in there glsammy, im sure we will both see them one day (although iv been trying for about 2 years now with no luck ) ….still got to remain positive, where theres a will theres a way  |
01-04-2006, 05:48 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 6,210
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Actually they don't hang high and deep as you can quite often see them in the leaf litter so don't ignore that whatever you do.
I have a photo of a Hawfinch in the gallery and that bird was only about twenty five feet off the ground and out in the open.
Where abouts are the reports of these birds near you as you might be able to go onto a local birding web site and get exact directions, plus any other info that might help you get to see them.
Good luck.
John |
01-04-2006, 05:58 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 449
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Thank you for the advice John, I would never have thought of looking in the leaf-litter. Have just had a look at your photo in the gallery, it truly is a stunning bird.
There are reports of them in epping forest and also Hainault forest in Essex, both near me.
Thank you very much for your help John, it is very much appreciated |
02-04-2006, 09:57 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Laindon, Basildon, Essex.
Posts: 2,727
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Hi Nicole
Hawfinches seem to be incredibly elusive birds and numbers seem to vary from year to year. Whilst they can be seen high in the tree canopy at favoured sites they do indeed forage on the ground in the leaf litter as John has said.
I normally catch up with them at Lynford Arboretum in Norfolk during the winter months but I was fortunate enough to see 3 at Braxted Park in Essex in the first week of February of this year. Up to 20 have been reported at this site this winter with the last report on the BirdGuides website being 1 on 2nd March.
They have also been seen a bit closer to home to me at Hockley Woods in Essex for the last 3 winters (1 or 2 birds) but I have never been lucky to see them there.
I have checked back over past copies of the Essex Bird Report and they are seen in Hainault Forest but do not seem to be seen with any regularity.
Good luck with your search .... Hawfinches are certainly worth seeing .... if you can find one!
Richard |
02-04-2006, 10:32 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Crawley,Sussex
Posts: 943
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
There has been one bird reported at RSPB Pulborough Brooks for the last 2 weeks but dammed if i could find it today. |
02-04-2006, 10:42 PM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 7
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Two Hawfinches were reported at a site near me last week.
I went the next day, and one bird was happily sitting in a tree next to a car park, and close to some noisey building work.
I got some great photos, I've put one on the gallery.
I guess I was just lucky |
03-04-2006, 10:33 AM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 449
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by rlchew Hi Nicole
I was fortunate enough to see 3 at Braxted Park in Essex in the first week of February of this year. Up to 20 have been reported at this site this winter with the last report on the BirdGuides website being 1 on 2nd March.
Richard | Braxted Park Richard, am I right in thinking thats in Witham? Im currently staying with a friend in Colchester so if its the same place im thinking of, then I think I might pop down and have a look 
Thank you for all your stories and advice guys, its much appreciated.
Im going to persist with my quest for the Hawfinch..........watch this space  |
03-04-2006, 12:59 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 5,175
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
I'm not convinced Hawfinches actually exist.............. |
03-04-2006, 01:10 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 6,210
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Gill Catton I'm not convinced Hawfinches actually exist.............. | Well I have a photo of one in the gallery and if it isn't one then I had better start believing in ghosts.
John |
03-04-2006, 02:28 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 449
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John Well I have a photo of one in the gallery and if it isn't one then I had better start believing in ghosts.
John | Im envious of anyone who's been lucky enough to see 1, let alone be able to get a snap of 1. It must of really made your day John |
03-04-2006, 02:59 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 6,210
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by nicole Im envious of anyone who's been lucky enough to see 1, let alone be able to get a snap of 1. It must of really made your day John | It did as normally these are hard birds to find, never mind photograph. Thankfully there was an influx of Hawfinch into this country and a lot of these birds could be found in strange places and unusual behaviour. The one I phptographed was on the edge of the Draycote Water car park in Warwickshire. Not the sort of place to expect a Hawfinch.
John |
03-04-2006, 05:30 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Laindon, Basildon, Essex.
Posts: 2,727
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by nicole Braxted Park Richard, am I right in thinking thats in Witham? Im currently staying with a friend in Colchester so if its the same place im thinking of, then I think I might pop down and have a look
Thank you for all your stories and advice guys, its much appreciated.
Im going to persist with my quest for the Hawfinch..........watch this space | Nicole
Yes, Great Braxted is kind of near Witham.
Please see this and this for streetmap.co.uk references .... I hope the links work!
Bear in mind that the Hawfinches were last reported on 2nd March although they may still be in the area.
Best of luck .... if you are unsuccessful, you may have to agree with Gill that they may not actually exist!
Richard |
03-04-2006, 05:34 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Laindon, Basildon, Essex.
Posts: 2,727
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John It did as normally these are hard birds to find, never mind photograph. Thankfully there was an influx of Hawfinch into this country and a lot of these birds could be found in strange places and unusual behaviour. The one I phptographed was on the edge of the Draycote Water car park in Warwickshire. Not the sort of place to expect a Hawfinch.
John | John
I saw the birds at Draycote Water too in mid-December .... undoubtedly the best view of this elusive species that I have had and, as per your earlier post, foraging in full view on the ground.
Richard |
03-04-2006, 05:54 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 6,210
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by rlchew John
I saw the birds at Draycote Water too in mid-December .... undoubtedly the best view of this elusive species that I have had and, as per your earlier post, foraging in full view on the ground.
Richard | At least the foraging in the leaf litter wasn't unusual. In fact the very first Hawfinch I ever saw was in leaf litter at Lynford Arboretum.
John |
03-04-2006, 06:09 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 449
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by rlchew Nicole
Yes, Great Braxted is kind of near Witham.
Please see this and this for streetmap.co.uk references .... I hope the links work!
Bear in mind that the Hawfinches were last reported on 2nd March although they may still be in the area.
Best of luck .... if you are unsuccessful, you may have to agree with Gill that they may not actually exist!
Richard | Thank you very much for the links Richard, your a little star
I think I will have a visit to Braxted in the week. I may not see a Hawfinch but a least I tried hey. I think ill also pop in and visit Tiptree heath on the way down and pick up some jam 
nicole
Last edited by glsammy; 03-04-2006 at 08:49 PM.
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03-04-2006, 09:33 PM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 237
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
there were lots of reports of hawfinch at bennington church near ware herts. not that far from you nicole.
last report i know of was april 1st |
04-04-2006, 09:43 AM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 449
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Pete there were lots of reports of hawfinch at bennington church near ware herts. not that far from you nicole.
last report i know of was april 1st | Thanks for the tip Pete, it sounds very promising....... |
04-04-2006, 09:47 AM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coventry
Posts: 6,210
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Pete there were lots of reports of hawfinch at bennington church near ware herts. not that far from you nicole.
last report i know of was april 1st | Hey Pete
You've been quiet of late.
BTW I'm going up to Norfolk for two weeks starting April 22nd. Will you be up there within that period? PM me if you are.
John |
04-04-2006, 06:52 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Laindon, Basildon, Essex.
Posts: 2,727
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by rlchew They have also been seen a bit closer to home to me at Hockley Woods in Essex for the last 3 winters (1 or 2 birds) but I have never been lucky to see them there. | Nicole
One reported at Hockley Woods again today .... 4/4/06 sightings and Hockley Woods
This site can also be good for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but I think both species contest the Most Elusive Bird award when I visit!
Richard |
05-04-2006, 10:20 AM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex
Posts: 449
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by rlchew Nicole
One reported at Hockley Woods again today .... 4/4/06 sightings and Hockley Woods
This site can also be good for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but I think both species contest the Most Elusive Bird award when I visit!
Richard |
Thank you for the tip-off Richard. Iv added the sightings page to my favourites so thank you for providing that.
Iv decided to dedicate the whole of next week in my quest for the hawfinch, fingers crossed I will see one, if not then I think Gill must be right, they don’t actually exist!!
Watch this space guys, ill keep you posted............ |
05-04-2006, 08:39 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 5,175
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by John Well I have a photo of one in the gallery and if it isn't one then I had better start believing in ghosts.
John | clever anamatronic chaffinch / bullfinch taxidermic trick..... |
05-04-2006, 09:01 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Laindon, Basildon, Essex.
Posts: 2,727
| | | Re: Help with Hawfinch
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Gill Catton clever anamatronic chaffinch / bullfinch taxidermic trick..... | Not sure what that means .... a fiddle?
C'mon we are talking about John here .... I am sure it really is a Hawfinch!
And poor Nicole .... don't discourage her, she really does want to see a Hawfinch so keep the hope alive for her search in deepest Essex
Richard | |
