Seen many in Europe, but only previously ever had one fleeting view in the UK of a pair flying over when we lived in the New Forest in the late Eighties, so I've been keeping my eyes skyward and ears tuned as I've been out and about doing surveys and general birding, walking etc etc and ....... not a thing, despite several being recorded within a few miles of our house on the Surrey/Sussex border.
Then ..... on Saturday morning I'm sat in the kitchen scanning the feeders and trees in the garden for my BTO Garden Birdwatch count and wtf is that among the Chaffinches and fallen leaves at the bottom of the garden under the apple trees. And it (or they - could be two as the first one was a male and other I saw today looks to be female) have been back every day since.
They are remarkably hard to see among the leaves for such a brightly coloured bird
Trying to get better photos but it/they will opt for the farthest/gloomiest/shadiest corner of the garden, or amongst twigs/leaves in the trees up to now.
Still .... never thought I'd be adding Hawfinch to my Garden Birdwatch list! Wonder low long it/they'll hang around?
Mick