We regularly see a pair of bullfinches during the winter: although in the winter of 2006 we only saw a single female.

In most years we have seen them in late February, feasting on the swelling buds of our Wild Plum trees. However this year (2008) they have appeared in January and have been nibbling on the hawthorn buds.

The weather has been colder this winter than it has in recent years. The consequent pressure on seeds and berries may have led to the Bullfinches turning to the buds earlier than "normal".

They are seed eaters, but they don't seem interested in the seed on any of our bird tables. However they are partial to dandelion seed (picture opposite).

January 2009 has seen an increase in our usual numbers with 4 or 5 birds visiting the Wild Plum.

First sighting - 2004

highest annual counts:

           2004         - 2

           2005         - 2

           2006         - 1

           2007         - 2

           2008         - 2

           2009         - 5