Bramblings

Pete Collins · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 04:04 PM

I reported on the Bird of the Day thread that I saw at least two Bramblings in the garden here this morning. Last winter was the first time they'd visited our garden (I first saw one here on 22nd February). I remember that a few other people reported seeing them in their gardens for the first time last winter, it seemed a good year for them.

Any views on whether or not this is likely to be another good winter for seeing Bramblings? There doesn't seem to have been much mention of them on this forum recently.

Dae · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 05:19 PM

There hasn't been much mention of them on our local bird sightings website either, and I would've expected to see them by now? We had flocks of thousands in our area of wales last winter, but perhaps it wasn't until later in the year?

sunnydale · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 06:54 AM

My mum has a few Bramblings visiting her garden! I've told her to get the camera out, coz I want proof!

Ruth Daniel · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 08:18 AM

I've not heard mention of Bramblings around here yet Pete tho when I've seen them it has always been January so maybe there's time for an influx yet......hope so!!

squishy · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 03:50 PM

i saw a bird in my garden today, and i'm debating whether its a brambling or a female bullfinch... the colours i saw fit brambling perfectly and i didn't see a very definite black cap, but i cant ignore the fact it came and went with two male bullfinches

muscardinus · #6 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 09:42 AM

I've seen a grand total of one brambling this year. But I live in hope that I'll get one in my garden.

squishy - in winter plumage bramblings don't really have much of a black cap, well, certainly not like a bullfinch anyway. And the build and jizz of these two finches is very different.

Just keep an eye out for a 'funny chaffinch'...

squishy · #7 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 10:03 AM

exactly! i'm saying i got a look at its head and it didn't have a black cap (or much of one). i really dont think it was a female bullfinch, so what else could it have been?

muscardinus · #8 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008, 10:39 AM

Aha, I misunderstood what you were saying. I'm not sure I can help but hopefully whatever it is will come back.

Of course a brambling is more likely to be on the ground under a feeder, or less often up on a bird table, whereas a bullfinch will most likely hang from a feeder to get at seeds. Maybe that helps?

And either species is a nice garden bird ;-)