Blackwater Arboretum - 22nd November

A sunny and calm afternoon. Highlights were Hawfinches, Brambling and Bullfinch.

When I arrived the assembled clan had already seen Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrush and Nuthatches. We walked from the car park along the tall trees trail. The Giant Sequoia and other huge trees along here are pretty impressive. The wildlife was pretty quiet this afternoon though. Several Robins, including a few singing, and some Blackbirds were all that we saw for much of the time. We did stop and get a good view of Goldcrests and heard Jays at one point.
The Arboretum itself was far more productive. As soon as we entered we saw Goldcrests and John Brailsford found a Marsh Tit in some close trees. We walked around the perimeter path and saw a few Chaffinches, including two that let us get incredibly close. As we walked up a path across the middle of the Arboretum a male Bullfinch appeared in a tree in front of us and the female was just behind. A Wren called in the woods. We walked to the spot where it is best to see the Hawfinches and waited. It wasn’t long before we heard a Hawfinch and then saw it in the top of a high conifer. Over the next 45 minutes we saw many Hawfinches, and Greenfinch, Siskin, Chaffinch and a great view of a Brambling. We heard Crossbills and a Green Woodpecker, but didn’t see them.
The views of several Hawfinches, the Brambling and some Siskins in good light at the tops of the trees were great. Altogether we must have seen about 30 Hawfinch. A great end to the day.
Simon Curson