Brambling

Above: Winter Brambling
Below: Male Chaffinch.

Brambling are winter visitors to the UK arriving as early as September and departing again by sometime in April. They can form large flocks in parts of Europe but, although it's possible to see a large flock in Britain, you are more likely to find one or two birds, usually in amongst large flocks of chaffinches. Like chaffinches they predominantly feed on the ground and are particularly fond of beech mast. Although different to the chaffinch, as the pictures on the left show, it is easy to overlook them in a flock of chaffinches so a careful examination of such flocks is recommended.

Although superficially similar to a male chaffinch, both male and female bramblings have much more vivid colour. In winter the head and back are scaly grey. The female having a distinctly paler grey head with two dark lines on either side of the back of the head. In summer the males head and back are black. You may have a chance to see then in this attractive plumage in April, just prior to departure. The breast and shoulder is a bright orange, the belly is white, the tail is black and the wings are black with paler orange wing bars. The legs are flesh pink and the beak is yellow with a black or grey tip. It also has a white rump but this is not easily seen except when in flight.

Giving a reliable location to see these birds in winter is not easy. Some years they can appear at one site but then not the next year. You are best to check the sightings on the Birdguides web site. Once spotted these birds usually stay in the same area if there is plenty of food, so once you know where they are you will have a better chance to see them and photograph them.

I've seen them regularly in winter at Dunham Park and Pennington Flash. The former is not great for photography as it's hard to get close enough to these small birds, even with a long lens. Pennington Flash is better as the feeding station at Bunting Hide seems to attract one or two bramblings in most winters and the hide allows you to get sufficiently close for reasonable photographs. You will need patience as these birds appear to be quite nervous. They are easily spooked at Pennington and usually the last to return to the feeders.

Just this last summer (2007) a large area on No 3 bed at Woolston Eyes has been planted with sunflowers and other seed bearing plants that have been allowed to set seed. This has attracted a number of birds to this area, including a few bramblings. Again with no hide it isn't easy to get close enough but worth a visit if you just want to see these birds.