Male Chaffinch

Each year I have taken photos in the garden, there have been certain species that have been more abundant than others. In previous years, a lot of Goldfinches or Greenfinches have come down to the setup. This year I have had just two Goldfinches and I have seen no Greenfinches at all. Conversely, in previous years, Chaffinches have been infrequent visitors, whereas this year they are by far the most common bird with up to 7 or 8 coming down at any one time.

The challenge with Chaffinches is that they are predominantly ground feeding birds. So when they do come down it is usually straight to the floor, bypassing any of the branches I have set up. There is usually quite a lot of food on the ground for them to feed on.   

As with a lot of bird species, the Male Chaffinch is a far more brightly coloured bird than the female.

Male ChaffinchPrivate Location, Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire

Male ChaffinchPrivate Location, Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire

Male ChaffinchPrivate Location, Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire

I have recently positioned a bird feeder in such away that the Chaffinches occasionally come to it, along or up one of two branches. They don't stay long, obviously feeling more comfortable being on the floor.

Male ChaffinchPrivate Location, Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire

Male ChaffinchPrivate Location, Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire

Male ChaffinchPrivate Location, Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire

I particularly like this last shot, where the sun came out, showing off the beautiful colours of the male Chaffinch to good effect. 

Male ChaffinchPrivate Location, Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire