Thanks to Jean, Paul, Laura and Dan for joining me on a bit of a coordinated hawfinch survey in the Gait Barrows area this morning. The aim was to expand our knowledge on where hawfinches are using in our area besides the known spot at Coldwell Parrock, for we suspect that a much larger of apparently suitable habitat could be used.

Highlights included:
Leighton Beck 4-5 including a singing male displaying to a female and 2 flying towards Underlaid Wood
Challan Hall 4+
Gait Barrows 1 near Hawes Water and 2 just east of Gait Barrows that flew east towards Fell End
Waterslack numerous sightings of 11+ birds including a flock of 10 for some time in treetops just inside Eaves Wood

We think overlap between the various sightings is likely to be small, but for certain a minimum 17 across the different areas based on timings of sightings.

Please report on here any sightings of hawfinches that you have. And clearly they are more widespread than we might have believed so do keep an eye or ear out whenever you are in suitable woodland in the area!