 Linnet (Carduelis cannabina). Male, summer plumage. Taken at Durdle Door, Dorset, on April 30th 2015. Male, summer plumage. Taken at Durdle Door, Dorset, on April 30th 2015. (© David Hastings) (1/800th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)  Linnet (Carduelis cannabina). Male, winter plumage. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on December 20th 2015. Male, winter plumage. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on December 20th 2015. (© David Hastings) (1/500th sec at f6.3. Click image for larger version)  Linnet (Carduelis cannabina). Female. Taken at West Walton, Cambs, on August 13th 2017. Female. Taken at West Walton, Cambs, on August 13th 2017. (© David Hastings) (1/1250th sec at f14. Click image for larger version) Description L: 12.5 - 14 cm The Linnet is a small, slim finch. Males are attractively marked with crimson foreheads and breasts, while females are much browner. Both sexes have streaky breasts. Linnets can be found throughout the British Isles with the exception of northern Scotland. Typical Linnet habitats are commons, heathland, rough ground, farmland hedges, saltmarshes, and parks and gardens. Linnets are restless and active birds, often rising in hopping flight only to drop down again soon afterwards. It is a Red list species owing to a significant population decline since 1970. There are about 430000 territories in the UK. Sightings | 22-Jun-2025 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 25-May-2025 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 11-May-2025 | : | The Coombes, Wilts | (2) | | 27-Apr-2025 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (4) | | 13-Apr-2025 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 12-Apr-2025 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2) | | 29-Jan-2025 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 02-Jan-2025 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (10+) |
| | 03-Dec-2024 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 07-Nov-2024 | : | Warham Greens, Norfolk | (1) | | 15-Sep-2024 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (6) | | 29-Aug-2024 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (4) | | 17-Jul-2024 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (1) | | 20-Jun-2024 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 14-Jun-2024 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | | | 05-Jun-2024 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (8) | | 25-May-2024 | : | The Coombes, Wilts | (4) | | 24-May-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 12-May-2024 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 30-Apr-2024 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (6) | | 14-Apr-2024 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (4) |
| | 03-Sep-2023 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2+) | | 22-Jun-2023 | : | Steart Marshes, Somerset | (20+) | | 21-Jun-2023 | : | Haddon Hill, Somerset | (4) | | 07-Jun-2023 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (8) | | 30-Apr-2023 | : | The Coombes, Wilts | (10+) | | 29-Apr-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (12+) | | 18-Apr-2023 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 07-Apr-2023 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 30-Jan-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (10+) |
| | 20-Dec-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (10+) | | 25-Nov-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (6) | | 27-Oct-2022 | : | Flamborough Head, E. Yorks | | | 20-Aug-2022 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (2) | | 16-Jul-2022 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (2) | | 22-Jun-2022 | : | Ravenglass, Cumbria | (1) | | 16-Jun-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (7) | | 12-Jun-2022 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 27-May-2022 | : | Ardley Wood Quarry, Oxon | (6) | | 21-May-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 08-May-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (3) | | 02-May-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 16-Apr-2022 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | | | 11-Feb-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 08-Feb-2022 | : | Bury Down, Berks | (20+) | | 07-Feb-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (30+) | | 20-Jan-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (10) | | 05-Jan-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | |
| | 09-Dec-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Nov-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 21-Sep-2021 | : | Lark Hill, Oxon | (5) | | 05-Sep-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 02-Sep-2021 | : | Compton Down, Berks | (20+) | | 24-Aug-2021 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (4) | | 26-Jun-2021 | : | Silchester Common, Hants | (5) | | 15-Jun-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 07-Jun-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 05-Jun-2021 | : | Crog Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 30-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 29-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 18-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 14-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 11-Apr-2021 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (4) | | 08-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 31-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 30-Mar-2021 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2+) | | 25-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 14-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (30+) | | 07-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (30+) | | 01-Mar-2021 | : | East Hendred Down, Oxon | (44+) | | 10-Feb-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 23-Jan-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (50+) |
| | 15-Dec-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 04-Nov-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 16-Oct-2020 | : | Warham Greens, Norfolk | (2) | | 13-Oct-2020 | : | Overy Marshes, Norfolk | | | 01-Oct-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 23-Aug-2020 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | | | 02-Aug-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 29-Jul-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (20+) | | 13-Jul-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (20) | | 23-Jun-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 21-Jun-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 02-Jun-2020 | : | Culham, Oxon | (2) | | 18-May-2020 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (6+) | | 08-May-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 06-May-2020 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (4+) | | 04-Feb-2020 | : | Holkham NNR, Norfolk | | | 03-Feb-2020 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (50+) | | 02-Feb-2020 | : | Holkham NNR, Norfolk | (100+) | | 18-Jan-2020 | : | Blewbury Downs, Oxon | (2) | | 12-Jan-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 02-Jan-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (50+) |
| | 09-Dec-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (20+) | | 17-Oct-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 04-Oct-2019 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (20+) | | 02-Oct-2019 | : | Cley Marshes, Norfolk | (1) | | 24-Aug-2019 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (1) | | 13-Aug-2019 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (1) | | 04-Aug-2019 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (10) | | 30-Jun-2019 | : | Silchester Common, Hants | (2) | | 03-Jun-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 20-May-2019 | : | Liniclate, Benbecula | (1) | | 19-May-2019 | : | Balnarad, North Uist | (1) | | 14-May-2019 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (3) | | 19-Apr-2019 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2) | | 18-Apr-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6+) | | 13-Apr-2019 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 25-Mar-2019 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (2) | | 24-Mar-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (30+) | | 05-Mar-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (50+) | | 27-Feb-2019 | : | East Hendred Down, Oxon | (3) | | 11-Feb-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 03-Jan-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (75+) |
| | 22-Dec-2018 | : | Blewbury Downs, Oxon | (7) | | 15-Nov-2018 | : | Extremadura, Spain | | | 03-Nov-2018 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (16) | | 06-Aug-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 02-Aug-2018 | : | Lid's Down, Oxon | (5) | | 24-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 10-Jul-2018 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (6) | | 24-Jun-2018 | : | Ravenglass, Cumbria | (2) | | 09-Jun-2018 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (6+) | | 20-May-2018 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (1) | | 07-May-2018 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (6) | | 01-May-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 19-Apr-2018 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (8) | | 17-Apr-2018 | : | South Hinksey, Oxon | (2) | | 26-Mar-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (50+) | | 14-Mar-2018 | : | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | (2) | | 13-Mar-2018 | : | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | | | 11-Mar-2018 | : | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | | | 20-Feb-2018 | : | East Hendred Down, Oxon | (20+) | | 30-Jan-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (50+) |
| | 23-Dec-2017 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (10+) | | 04-Dec-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 16-Nov-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (20+) | | 30-Oct-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 10-Oct-2017 | : | Choseley Barns, Norfolk | (10+) | | 09-Oct-2017 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (50+) | | 04-Oct-2017 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (6) | | 03-Oct-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 20-Sep-2017 | : | Portland Bill, Dorset | | | 19-Sep-2017 | : | Portland Bill, Dorset | (50+) | | 29-Aug-2017 | : | Lollingdon Hill, Oxon | (6+) | | 26-Aug-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 24-Aug-2017 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (2) | | 23-Aug-2017 | : | Lollingdon Hill, Oxon | (60+) | | 13-Aug-2017 | : | West Walton, Norfolk | (10) | | 12-Aug-2017 | : | West Walton, Norfolk | (2) | | 03-Aug-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 18-Jul-2017 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | | | 21-Apr-2017 | : | MoD Arncott | | | 15-Apr-2017 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (c.50) | | 13-Apr-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (50+) | | 09-Apr-2017 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (4) | | 25-Mar-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (80+) | | 19-Feb-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 04-Feb-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 14-Jan-2017 | : | Caulcott, Oxon | (11) |
| | 28-Dec-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 13-Nov-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 07-Nov-2016 | : | El Bujeo, Spain | | | 05-Nov-2016 | : | Trafico, Spain | (2+) | | 23-Oct-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 15-Oct-2016 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (10+) | | 08-Oct-2016 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (4) | | 18-Sep-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 11-Sep-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 21-Aug-2016 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (5) | | 19-Aug-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 14-Aug-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 16-Jul-2016 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (22) | | 05-Jun-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 02-Jun-2016 | : | Hatchet Small Pond, Hants | (6) | | 01-Jun-2016 | : | Lymington-Keyhaven NR, Hants | (12+) | | 29-May-2016 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (2) | | 30-Apr-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6+) | | 19-Apr-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 17-Apr-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 10-Apr-2016 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (2) | | 03-Apr-2016 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (6) | | 25-Mar-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 13-Mar-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (50+) | | 05-Mar-2016 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1) | | 23-Jan-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (30+) |
| | 20-Dec-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (60+) | | 22-Nov-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (30+) | | 24-Oct-2015 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (6) | | 18-Oct-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 27-Sep-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 13-Sep-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 07-Sep-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6) | | 06-Sep-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (6) | | 16-Aug-2015 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Aug-2015 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (6+) | | 25-Jul-2015 | : | Bezbog, Bulgaria | | | 18-Jun-2015 | : | Haddon Hill, Somerset | (10+) | | 17-Jun-2015 | : | Lynton/Lynmouth, Devon | (3+) | | 16-Jun-2015 | : | Heddon Valley, Devon | (2) | | 07-Jun-2015 | : | Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon | (3) | | 10-May-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 01-May-2015 | : | Arne, Dorset | | | 30-Apr-2015 | : | Durdle Door, Dorset | (10+) | | 30-Apr-2015 | : | Stoborough Heath NNR, Dorset | (2) | | 27-Apr-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (8+) | | 22-Apr-2015 | : | Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon | (10) | | 10-Apr-2015 | : | Burgess Field, Oxon | (2) | | 09-Apr-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (30+) | | 22-Mar-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (25+) | | 22-Feb-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (100+) | | 01-Feb-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (60+) | | 10-Jan-2015 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (1+) |
| | 20-Dec-2014 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (30+) | | 20-Nov-2014 | : | Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon | (2) | | 21-Sep-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 13-Sep-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 17-Aug-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 23-Jun-2014 | : | Trigrad, Bulgaria | | | 25-May-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2+) | | 07-May-2014 | : | Mwnt, Ceredigion | (10+) | | 04-May-2014 | : | Mwnt, Ceredigion | (10+) | | 18-Apr-2014 | : | Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon | (1m) |
| | 03-Nov-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 04-Aug-2013 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (2) | | 24-Jun-2013 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (2) | | 09-Jun-2013 | : | Cotley Hill, Wilts | (2) |
| | 08-Sep-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 03-Aug-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Jun-2012 | : | Weybourne, Norfolk | | | 26-Jun-2012 | : | Kelling Heath, Norfolk | | | 26-Jun-2012 | : | Salthouse, Norfolk | | | 25-Jun-2012 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | | | 29-May-2012 | : | Compton Chine, Isle of Wight | (10) | | 06-Apr-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (6) |
| | 21-Aug-2011 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (3) | | 19-Apr-2011 | : | Bryher, Isles of Scilly | | | 17-Apr-2011 | : | Bryher, Isles of Scilly | | | 16-Apr-2011 | : | Bryher, Isles of Scilly | |
| | 13-Sep-2010 | : | La Janda, Spain | | | 27-Jun-2010 | : | Pinail, Vienne, France | |
| | 22-Apr-2009 | : | Sydlings Copse, Oxon | | | 05-Mar-2009 | : | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | |
| | 02-Jun-2008 | : | Seahouses, Northumberland | |
| | 11-Jun-2006 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | |
| | 25-Sep-2005 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 14-Aug-2005 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | |
| | 13-Jul-1999 | : | Isles of Scilly | |
| |
