Hawfinch at Bramfield Church

Having seen reports of Hawfinch showing at Bramfield church in Herts this week we headed off to see if they'd show and get the old man his 250th year tick and what would be a lifer for the "old tart".
I've seen Hawfinch at a couple of locations this year but he's been getting twitchy about making it to 250 this year so we made the 18 mile trip and arrived at 7am.

Hawfinch

                                           

Barn Owls quartered the cricket pitch field as we arrived but were quickly put down as up to ten Magpies mobbed them, although one was seen again a little later.


 We stood with two other birders in the churchyard and at around 8am we had the first sighting as five birds dropped in first stopping in the tall poplars and then dropping onto the Yew at the back of the churchyard to feed.
We stayed for five hours and had really good views on and off as the birds flew in and out with one bird showing very well for a while by the Rectory gates.
We saw a group of five and a group of three so there could be five or eight here.
Also we noted Nuthatch, GS and Green Woodpecker along with Green, Gold and Chaffinch, Gt, Blue and Coal Tit  along with Goldcrest, Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush etc.
The little shop in the village is very welcoming and does a nice Croissant and Coffee combo and the staff in the pub are also very welcoming.

 Hawfinch virgins

The birds attracted over fifty birders today and amongst them Lee Evans dropped in as this is local.
A good crowd and some nice banter enjoyed by all as we waited for the odd glimpse of the birds.
The Hawfinch virgins numbered in double figures so the old boy was in good "tarts tick" company.
But the reward for a long stint was the good scope views we all enjoyed.

On the way home we stopped off at Amwell and had Scaup and Smew after a ten minute walk to the weir  before heading off for a warm up and some munch.