Chaffinch

Above: Male Chaffinch
Below: Female Chaffinch.

Chaffinches are resident in the UK all year round and are probably the most common bird in the UK. So this is one of the first birds that you are likely to have in your photo gallery. They are ground feeding birds in the main and in winter can form very large flocks. They are also variable in temperament. Some, in more rural areas, being quite nervous and others, such as those outside the cafe at Tatton Park, are as tame as robins.

The male and female are quite different as can be seen in the pictures on the left. The male has a handsome blue grey cap and half collar. He has dusky pink cheeks, breast and belly which gets slightly paler towards the vent. His wings are dark with two white wing bars. The tail is blackish with white outer edges that are prominent in flight. The back is brown, the rump is greenish, the beak metallic blue grey and the legs brownish pink.

The female, in comparison is much plainer. She is almost completely grey brown, usually slightly darker on the upper side than the underside. The wings are darker still and, like the males, have the white wing bars. She also has white outer edges to her tail that are clearly visible in flight.

As far as photography is concerned there should be no problems. If you're lucky enough to live in an area with chaffinches, and most of you will, then you can get them into your garden will a little seed. If that's not possible (may be you don't have a garden) then there are lots of places that you can go. Try any of these: Pennington Flash (Bunting Hide), Risley Moss (Woodland Hide), Rostherne (Boyd Observatory), Marbury Country Park (Budworth Mere Hide) and The Spinnies, Aberogwen. Any of these are good for chaffinch, with Rostherne being my favourite.