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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Hawfinch - coccothraustes coccothraustes

 

Hawfinch is a passenger bird (which is probably a reference to its large bill and bulky size) in the finch family Fringillidae. It breeds across Europe and temperate Asia. It is mainly resident in Europe but many Asian birds migrate further south in the winter. Deciduous or mixed woodland with large trees, especially Hornbeam, is favoured for breeding including parkland. Their food is mainly seeds and fruit kernels especially those of cherries. The scientific name 'coccothraustes' comes from the Greek, meaning 'nut-cracker'. Some historical names for Hawfinch include; Cherry Finch, Berry Breaker, Coble, Kate and Pie-finch.

 

There have been around seventy Hawfinch reported from S. Gloucestershire in modern times;

 

2011: (c.3)

One was seen on March 20th at Kingsgate Park , Yate at 08:30; On November 11th, one was seen flying high to the north-east at Oldbury Power Station; On December 18th, a large finch with a white stripe through the wing, possibly this species was seen at 10:00 with a Chaffinch flock between Latteridge and Earthcott Green.

 

2010: (3)

One was reported from New Passage on October 11th with a further individual there on October 12th; One was seen flying high to the north-east at Oldbury Power Station on November 11th.

 

2009: (c.21)

One was seen at 15:20 near Hawkesbury Upton in trees on west side of the Cotswold Way around ST: 773 871 on January 7th; One was present on Ringswell Common in the Doncombe Valley south of Marshfield on January 15th; One probably this species flew over Ringswell Common in the Doncombe Valley on January 18th; Five were seen at Bodkin Hazel Wood near Petty France on January 25th. They appeared to fly in from the Hawkesbury Upton direction then flew south-east towards Badminton; A male was seen in trees at the bottom corner of Manorbrook School Field and Streamside Walk, Thornbury (ST: 643 910) on February 17th & 19th.

 

St. Anne's Churchyard, California Road, Longwell Green:

One was seen on January 28th with three present on January 29th and nine on January 30th - 31st; Five were present on February 1st with one wandering to Willsbridge Mill car park on Longbeach Road; Three present on February 2nd - 3rd & 10th with at least five on February 5th, seven on February 9th, 16th - 17th, six on February 11th & 15th; two on February 14th; At least six were still present on February 23rd & 25th; Four showing on February 27th; Possibly as many as six were heard calling on March 7th with at least three seen on March 13th; Two were present on March 18th, 20th & 25th; At least one was noted late afternoon on April 1st.

 

Kingsgate Park, Yate:

Four were seen on February 12th with one still present on February 13th, 18th and 25th, two on February 19th & 20th; up to four were noted on February 14th; Three on February 26th; Two were seen at lunchtime on March 6th with four at the same time on March 11th; Two were present early morning on March 16th.

 

 

Hawfinch at Longwell Green. January 2009, Left two Mike Dimery, centre right Gary Thoburn, right Rob Laughton.

 

 

 

 

Hawfinch at Thornbury and Yate. February 2009. Matt Plenty and Darren Pearce.

 

2008: (6)

Two, a male and female were seen at Marshfield on Ringswell Common 300 metres east of Marshfield Sewage Treatment Works at 11:15 on November 26th; One was seen at Thornbury in the Streamside Walk/ Hyde Avenue area on November 30th; A male was seen at Marshfield on Ringswell Common on December 1st - 4th; One was seen at ST: 784 713 near Motcombe Farm in St. Catherine's Valley on December 7th; Two were present on Ringswell Common at Marshfield in the Doncombe Valley on December 8th with one still present on December 10th; One was seen in Kingsgate Park at Yate in trees behind the lake on December 11th - 13th.

 

 

Hawfinch on Ringswell Common. December 2008. Martyn Hayes.

 

 

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2007: (1)

One was noted at Hawkesbury Upton on January 9th.

 

2006: (12) HIGHEST COUNT 12

On January 31st three were reported from Brimsham Park in Yate at 13:15. (ST: 714 842) Generally there were on average six to nine birds present, but on February 7th there were twelve reported. Present from January 31st until at least March 11th when five were seen at 09:00; An adult male (possibly two) was present at Willsbridge Mill on at least March 26th.

 

 

 

Hawfinch at  Brimsham Park in Yate. February 2006. Left to right: Paul Bowerman, John Martin, Rob Laughton, Paul Bowyer and Gary Thoburn.

 

 

Hawfinch at Willsbridge Mill. March 2006. Mark Trott.

 

2005: (3)

Two, a pair were seen on November 12th in a garden at North Common in Warmley; On December 18th one was seen at Brimsham Park in Yate. At approximately 12:15 the bird was near the lake at the edge of the houses associating with Greenfinch and Goldfinch, as well as Blue Tit. After alighting at the top of a medium height tree it stayed for 20 - 25 minutes allowing clear close views it didn't seem to be alarmed by a close approach. Eventually it left to fly past the lake and on towards the east. (ST: 714 839). It was seen again on December 20th.

 

1997: (2)

Two were reported on November 1st at Oldbury Power Station.

 

1979: (c.4)

Up to four birds were noted from Inglestone Common sometime between January 6th and July 28th.

 

1978: (c.8)

Reports of up to eight birds at Inglestone Common from January 1st up to April 24th and from July 6th onwards.

 

1975: (c.1)

Reference is made to one or more birds seen at Hallen sometime this year.

 

1972: (6)

Reports of up to six birds from Inglestone Common sometime this year.

 

1957: (1)

One was seen in flight at Frenchay on April 6th.

 

1954: (2)

There were two presumed winter adults located on November 28th at Tortworth.

 

1952: (1)

On June 1st a presumed adult was reported from Dodington Park.

 

1950: (1)

On March 18th a presumed adult was seen at Old Sodbury.

 

1941: (1)

On May 18th one was reported in the grounds at Tortworth Court where, with, an abundance of suitable nesting sites the bird is possibly a regular breeder. Recorded in the past as being common at Tortworth (cf. Witchell and Strugnell, The Fauna and Flora of Gloucestershire, 1892; p. 65).

 

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