Help - Hawfinches

[sledly]

Good Day,
I am living in the London area and I am new to the region. I would really like to see a Hawfinch and would like some advice on the best places to spot them in the area. Any hints?

Thanks

[London Birder]

hi sledly,

not the easiest species to ge to grips with in the London area but you could try Broxbourne Woods (Herts) or the Epping Forest areas ...

[dbradnum]

Although I'm not a native to the area, I'm not aware of any regular sites for Hawfinch in Epping Forest - though I wouldn't be at all surprised to find they were in there. It's a vast area, and very underwatched (I'm guilty of driving through it to go birding elsewhere far too often!). I know that someone sees them in their garden in Woodford Green (south end of the forest)... but is extremely cagey about where that garden is!

They certainly are in Broxbourne Woods, but only ever seem to get seen at a pre-roost site in some tall trees. The views are typically not great, from what I know.

My recommendation would be to have a day out in the Brecks (Norfolk/Suffolk border, Thetford area) in February, to include Lynford Arboretum - the chances of getting good views of Hawfinch are much higher, and you can take in a range of other good birding sites. Alternatively, it's very well situated for a quick stop en-route to north Norfolk (M11, A11, A1065 - goes right past it!)

[dbradnum]

Oh, and a warm welcome to BirdForum, sledly! Hope you find plenty of useful information, and interesting discussion on here...

[robinm]

Hi sledy,

A warm welcome to BirdForum from all the Moderators and Admin.

Another site that has been good is Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent, although I have not seen reports of them there yet this winter.

[dbradnum]

Another site that has been good is Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent, although I have not seen reports of them there yet this winter.
Yes, Bedgebury crossed my mind as well... but I think I heard from someone that the site was no longer any good for Hawfinch. Can't remember why - does anyone else know about this?

[robinm]

It's certainly not as good as it used to be but I have just checked and a few have been seen there in tha past couple of weeks.

[London Birder]

sorry, didn't mean I knew of any Hawfinches at Epping for certain but have always figured it could produce ...

aside from the other sites suggested outside London it may be worth finding out of Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent still has a roost-site

edit: ya's beat me to it


Although I'm not a native to the area, I'm not aware of any regular sites for Hawfinch in Epping Forest - though I wouldn't be at all surprised to find they were in there. It's a vast area, and very underwatched (I'm guilty of driving through it to go birding elsewhere far too often!). I know that someone sees them in their garden in Woodford Green (south end of the forest)... but is extremely cagey about where that garden is!

They certainly are in Broxbourne Woods, but only ever seem to get seen at a pre-roost site in some tall trees. The views are typically not great, from what I know.

My recommendation would be to have a day out in the Brecks (Norfolk/Suffolk border, Thetford area) in February, to include Lynford Arboretum - the chances of getting good views of Hawfinch are much higher, and you can take in a range of other good birding sites. Alternatively, it's very well situated for a quick stop en-route to north Norfolk (M11, A11, A1065 - goes right past it!)

[Surreybirder]

Bedgebury Pinetum towards dusk.... look at the tops of the tallest trees from the top of the hill inside the Pinetum. Take a scope as they are usually very high up.
Ken

[pandachris]

Excellent views at Draycote Water near Rugby on Sunday. The birds have been there for 10 days+. Not really London but only a couple of hours up the M1.

[Ruby]

Bedgebury Pinetum towards dusk.... look at the tops of the tallest trees from the top of the hill inside the Pinetum. Take a scope as they are usually very high up.
Ken

Hi Ken,

I heard a theory that the birds at Bedgebury were coming into roost earlier in the day, so got there good and early and took some notes....

Jan 19th, 2005

7 birds flew in at 12:55. Paused briefly nr the top of the trees before moving lower and out of sight.

Further 5 birds at 13:50. Ditto

Haven't been this year as yet.....


Rgds.... Ruby

[florall]

I heard a theory that the birds at Bedgebury were coming into roost earlier in the day, so got there good and early and took some notes....

I also remember hearing reports about this on Kosnet last winter. Those people who turned up at what is traditionally thought of as dusk i.e. late afternoon, were disappointed. You had to be there very early in the afternoon to have any chance of seeing the birds.

I've still not been myself to see any yet. Maybe one day.

[Mary Evelyn]

We actually had a pair visit our garden a couple of years ago and were thrilled but they only stayed a week.

[robinm]

I also remember hearing reports about this on Kosnet last winter.
I reckon from lunchtime onwards. Dusk could well be too late.

[dbradnum]

I also remember hearing reports about this on Kosnet last winter. Those people who turned up at what is traditionally thought of as dusk i.e. late afternoon, were disappointed. You had to be there very early in the afternoon to have any chance of seeing the birds.

I've still not been myself to see any yet. Maybe one day.
This is much the same for the Broxbourne birds in Herts - when the days are at their shortest, you need to be there about 1pm, I believe.

[brian fielding]

just noticed a hawfinch picture posted on surfbirds from a site in beds'. might be worth checking out.

[jforgham]

This is much the same for the Broxbourne birds in Herts - when the days are at their shortest, you need to be there about 1pm, I believe.
Hi,
Had 2 hawfinches in Broxbourne Woods week last Saturday and 3 have been seen roosting there since (yesterday to be precise). PM me for details if you wish. I had mine over the car park at the corner of Pembridge Lane near Brickendon.

[jeff]

The Draycote (Warwickshire) birds are still showing well

[Adey Baker]

The Draycote (Warwickshire) birds are still showing well


Could be the most-watched Hawfinches in the country!

[Reader]

Could be the most-watched Hawfinches in the country!

I'll add to that. lol

[Adey Baker]

Must start wearing my Birdforum badge again so we can recognise each other!

[Reader]

Must start wearing my Birdforum badge again so we can recognise each other!

Well I had my BF cap on. Also with me was Scampo (Steve) and his son, Nick.

I got there for 08:30 and was there until 09:45. We went around the reservoir and returned back to the car Park at about mid-day. We didn't stay long after that and left the car park area about 12:30.

[Adey Baker]

Carl Baggott and I were in front of you at about 12:30 - we were the two with SLRs crouched down by the bushes just left of where you were standing (getting cramp in the legs!). The photo above was taken then but the one I've put in the gallery was digiscoped earlier from where you were standing.

The birds had been photographed from even closer yesterday - the trick being to move to where we were a few yards at a time when the birds were still in the trees.

I thought I recognised Scampo but we didn't have time for a chat as we were running a bit late on our schedule!

For ticking-off on the 'BF 200 Club' thread Carl had the blue anorak and I was wearing the green 'Country Innovation' fleece

[jeff]

I was there from 10ish until about 12ish, didn't see Reader, i know what he looks like.

[Adey Baker]

I was there from 10ish until about 12ish, didn't see Reader, i know what he looks like.

Was that you with the Nikon Coolpix then, Jeff?

G N Divers and a nice male Smew also on the reservoir this morning:

[jeff]

Was that you with the Nikon Coolpix then, Jeff?

G N Divers and a nice male Smew also on the reservoir this morning:

It could well have been......... ?

I didn't stop for the smew, nice pic though.

[Adey Baker]

It could well have been......... ?



I'll definitely have to move my BF badge from my 'summer' waistcoat to my winter jacket, then - it's much easier saying hello at the time rather than several hours later on here... ;)

[jeff]

I'll definitely have to move my BF badge from my 'summer' waistcoat to my winter jacket, then - it's much easier saying hello at the time rather than several hours later on here... ;)

:o)

Hello.

Who'll be there on Jan 1st if they hang about for that long?

[Adey Baker]

:o)

Hello.

Who'll be there on Jan 1st if they hang about for that long?

Just over 20 days to go, then to get them on two year lists - that was you, then!! That makes my BF member-list about...err...8 now - must get out more!

[jeff]

Just over 20 days to go, then to get them on two year lists - that was you, then!! That makes my BF member-list about...err...8 now - must get out more!

Maybe ;-)

You BF list is way longer than mine though, you'll soon be in double figures!!

[Reader]

Carl Baggott and I were in front of you at about 12:30 - we were the two with SLRs crouched down by the bushes just left of where you were standing (getting cramp in the legs!). The photo above was taken then but the one I've put in the gallery was digiscoped earlier from where you were standing.

The birds had been photographed from even closer yesterday - the trick being to move to where we were a few yards at a time when the birds were still in the trees.

I thought I recognised Scampo but we didn't have time for a chat as we were running a bit late on our schedule!

For ticking-off on the 'BF 200 Club' thread Carl had the blue anorak and I was wearing the green 'Country Innovation' fleece

yes, I remember you two. I doubt I would recognise you again Adey as I only gave you two a cursory glance. Shame i didn't know it was you.

[Reader]

I was there from 10ish until about 12ish, didn't see Reader, i know what he looks like.

We left just before you arrived Jeff and arrived back just after you went. That's timing init!! lol

[Adey Baker]

yes, I remember you two. I doubt I would recognise you again Adey as I only gave you two a cursory glance. Shame i didn't know it was you.


I had my jacket zipped up to my chin and woolly hat folded down to my eyes and hands covered with gloves as well as being stuck under a bush (all part of the photographers' camouflage outfit!) so my own wife might not have recognised me!

[jeff]

I had my jacket zipped up to my chin and woolly hat folded down to my eyes and hands covered with gloves as well as being stuck under a bush (all part of the photographers' camouflage outfit!) so my own wife might not have recognised me!

Were you one of the guys standing next to me? I think both had digi equipment and SLR cameras, i remember one video'd the finches through his camera.

Sounds like you were nice and warm :) I was frozen.....

Reader, yep prefect timing almost as good a the hams chiffchaff when i managed to slip away while you were rearranging your cap ;-)

[Adey Baker]

Were you one of the guys standing next to me? I think both had digi equipment and SLR cameras, i remember one video'd the finches through his camera.

Sounds like you were nice and warm :) I was frozen.....



Yes I was next to you - I remember you saying that you hoped they hung around until next year - and Carl was the one who videoed the bird on his Coolpix.

I like to wrap up warm - you can't take steady photos when you're shivering. Mind you, I did have a cold wet knee when crouched down under that bush!

[pandachris]

:o)

Hello.

Who'll be there on Jan 1st if they hang about for that long?

I reckon we will. We're doing The Glee club in Brum on NYEve and then staying over at The Brittania, so for once I'll be allowed a pint. I'll offer my passengers the chance of the twitch of a lifetime (as neither of them are birders) and if they decline, Julie and I will get down the road to Draycote and hope to get the Hawfinches, divers and Smew for 2006. You'll probably be able to recognise us because we'll be completely inappropriately dressed, unless we remember to pack some proper clothes.

[Kimipti]

Are the Hawfinch still at Draycote water - might pop in on way past for Christmas if so - great bird and ahve not seen any for a while

[jeff]

Are the Hawfinch still at Draycote water - might pop in on way past for Christmas if so - great bird and ahve not seen any for a while

They were yesterday, also 2 smew and 2 GND.

Just checked birdguides and no reports today, but less people go during the week.

They are putting seed down to hopefully keep the birds there until the new year, so more than likely they are still present.

[Kimipti]

They were yesterday, also 2 smew and GND.

Thanks very much. Smew GND all beautiful birds.

[jeff]

Thanks very much. Smew GND all beautiful birds.

3 reported today.

[Reader]

3 reported today.

Scampo was going down for them again with his mate. Hopefully he saw them again.

[Quacker]

I was there from 10ish until about 12ish, didn't see Reader, i know what he looks like.

Who bloody doesn't recognise Reader? - even long since retired Brummie railwaymen from 30 years previous on a late spring afternoon at Minsmere.

Like bleedin' horse muck lol.

[Reader]

Who bloody doesn't recognise Reader? - even long since retired Brummie railwaymen from 30 years previous on a late spring afternoon at Minsmere.

Like bleedin' horse muck lol.

That even surprised me Steve. Mind you I recognised him before he recognised me. lol

I haven't bothered with a BF member count on those i have met but it must be quite high by now.