Hawfinches

I have been very fortunate to watch a pair of Hawfinches only three minutes walk from our house. When an opportunity to sketch such a shy species, so close to home arises, I make the most of it. Here is a description of the morning of February 18th:

I set off for the park early and soon found a pair of Hawfinches in the top of the field maple tree. They descended into the lower crown of the tree and were lost to view. The next hour was the usual cat and mouse game as I tried to relocate them. The pair had split and I found one nearer the nursery school with a few chaffinches, which it dwarfed. I followed it back to the large maple were it began to quietly feed on the winged seeds. I managed some very close views of this bird feeding. I felt very privileged to watch this elusive species so close, and what a fascinating bird to watch. Hawfinches move so discretely within the trees somehow flying out the other side undetected then surprising me by calling 100yds away. The grumpy expression of this bulky headed finch gives it great character and one can only marvel at it ability to prise open seeds which no other bird would give a second glance. I have spent several hours watching Hawfinches in the last three weeks and I feel I am getting to know them and perhaps they are getting to know me, because this morning's feeding bird was more confiding than any greenfinch. I love sketching their colours, their shape and recording their behaviour.