Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Species
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on May 14th 2020.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on May 14th 2020.
(1/1600th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). Juvenile. Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on September 5th 2013.
Juvenile. Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on September 5th 2013.
(1/125th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 12 - 13.5cm

The Goldfinch is a highly coloured finch with a bright red face, black crown, white cheeks, breast and belly, and yellow wing patches. The sexes are alike.

It is found throughout the British Isles except for north-west Scotland.

It breeds in low-lying deciduous woodland, pine plantations and orchards. It has become much more common in gardens with the introduction of Nyger seed feeders.

Most British Goldfinches spend the winter in southern and western Europe.

There are about 313000 territories. Only about 100000 birds spend the winter in the UK.

Sightings

16-Mar-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
04-Mar-2024 : Aston, Oxon (2)
24-Feb-2024 : Aston, Oxon (2)
16-Feb-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
12-Feb-2024 : Buckland Warren, Oxon (1)
31-Jan-2024 : Slimbridge, Glos (10+)
15-Jan-2024 : Buckland Warren, Oxon (2)
02-Jan-2024 : Aston, Oxon (2)
01-Jan-2024 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)

17-Dec-2023 : Aston, Oxon (2)
08-Dec-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (8)
10-Oct-2023 : Aston, Oxon (2)
25-Sep-2023 : Aston, Oxon (8)
13-Sep-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
03-Sep-2023 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (10+)
25-Jul-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
20-May-2023 : Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon (2)
15-May-2023 : Crog Hill, Oxon (2)
15-May-2023 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (2)
01-May-2023 : Elan Valley, Powys (3)
18-Apr-2023 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (4)
04-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
27-Feb-2023 : Aston, Oxon (1)
19-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (12+)
15-Feb-2023 : Great Tew, Oxon (4)
05-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (10+)
02-Jan-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon

08-Dec-2022 : Aston, Oxon (1)
07-Dec-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
06-Dec-2022 : Aston, Oxon (4)
01-Dec-2022 : Aston, Oxon (1)
28-Oct-2022 : Tophill Low, E. Yorks
27-Oct-2022 : Flamborough Head, E. Yorks
26-Oct-2022 : Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks
22-Sep-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
31-Aug-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
27-Aug-2022 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (10)
26-Aug-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
20-Aug-2022 : Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts (5)
26-Jul-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (3)
10-Jul-2022 : Hackpen Hill, Oxon (2)
01-Jul-2022 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (3)
23-Jun-2022 : Latterbarrow, Cumbria (3)
23-Jun-2022 : Arnside Knott, Cumbria (1)
20-Jun-2022 : Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria
13-Jun-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
10-Jun-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
30-May-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
28-May-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
23-May-2022 : Aston, Oxon (1)