Beech of a Haw..!

A Hawfinch was seen this morning in the beech trees in Worsbrough Village churchyard. It was apparently first seen 3 weeks ago and was only identified as a hawfinch yesterday. I spent a couple of hours in the area, but to no avail.

Although this species has never been common, it has become increasingly scarce over the last decade in the Barnsley area. Rockley and Stainborough (also Bretton Park) have always been the main strongholds, with small numbers breeding annually and regular sightings of flocks in winter. Unfortunately this now seems to be a thing of the past, and large flocks such as the Barnsley area maximum of 29 at Rockley on 14th April 1994 seems unlikely to be repeated. However, a wintering flock of up to 11 birds in January/February 2009 at Wentworth Castle Gardens raised hopes that this species maybe a regular occurence once again . . .

Male Hawfinch - Stainborough Feb 2009