Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

Resident and passage migrant. Only seen in very small numbers, which is surprising since there is plenty of good habitat.

Migrants:
1. 8 flew N on 16th October 2005.
2. 5 W on 27th October 2006.
3. 10 W on 6th November 2009.
4. 10 on 14th October 2011

Wintering flocks:
1. 11 on the East Fields, 26th January 2009.
2. 10 on 18th January 2010 (Emily’s Wood).
3. 20 on 21st January 2011 (Samuel’s Wood).
4. 20 on 9th March 2011.

Breeding:
2010: Minimum of 5 singing males on-site.
2012: 3 territories from Samuels’ Wood to Green Lane, May.
2014: 7 territories, early April.
2016: 5 territories were found in woodland and mature hedgerow but unusually none were located in Samuel’s Wood. It is possible they eluded detection here (Steve Morrison).

Ringing:
2011: Just 2 ringed, on 27th May and 20th September (Roger Peart).
2012: 1 ringed, in May.
2013: 3 ringed, in October and November.

Recoveries/Controls:
L182432, a juvenile male ringed at Trickett’s Cross, Ferndown on 19th July 2010 was controlled at Longham on 4th October 2011 (4km SSW, 1 year and 77 days).