More on the Hawfinches at Woodstock 17th March 2025

Following our last encounter with Hawfinches in the cemetery a week or so ago see here I suggested to Gareth that it might be a good idea to put some sunflower seed down in the secluded area of the cemetery where we had seen one feeding on the ground.

The area in question was a patch of grass and primroses close to some bushes and below some small trees, ideal for birds to hide away and feel safe when not on the ground or fly up into when alarmed. For us it was also good as we had a free line of sight from a handy bush far enough away to not deter the birds but close enough to allow the chance of getting a reasonable image or two.

We parted. in agreement that the seed was a good plan and in the intervening days each of us got some sunflower seed and scattered it around the grass close to the  bushes. Based on my experiences with Hawfinches at Parkend in the Forest of Dean they seem to prefer sunflower seeds which are large and easier to manipulate in their huge bills. A bill which can exert a phenomenal 50kgs of pressure, enough to crack cherry stones so sunflower seeds would not be a problem.

I could not return to the cemetery until today due to social commitments but Gareth managed to get there last weekend and guess what? He found no less than four Hawfinches including one superb male feeding on the seed.

Male Hawfinch c Gareth Casburn

For me it was a double edged sword.I was delighted that the seed plan had worked but thoroughly peeved that I had missed out on seeing the male.. Never mind it is not the end of the world although at the time it seemed like it.

On Sunday after a very nice family lunch at a pub on Christmas Common in The Chilterns I stopped off at Woodstock on the way home to spread some black and striped sunflower seeds on the grass.There was no sign of any Hawfinches but I did not expect to see any as it was getting late.

On Monday Mrs U was travelling to Cambridge, so after dropping her off at Oxford Parkway railway station at 9am  I made my way to Woodstock.

It was overcast today and very, very cold. a biting easterly wind cutting right through me as I made my way to the cemetery. It was around 9.30 when I passed through the gates into the hallowed ground and frankly I was not expecting to see anything but was very pleased to see a female Hawfinch fly up from the area Gareth and myself had seeded

There is little cover in the cemetery apart from the yews and several large box bushes so I insinuated myself into the side of a box bush which gave me a direct view of the seeded patch and waited. Hawfinches once they have flown up into a tree will sit for quite some time before finding the confidence to come back to the ground. I was therefore delighted when not one but two females eventually flew down to the grass and scattered leaves to commence tucking into the seed.Soon after another appeared and so there were three and, as is usual here, all were females.

Naturally the abundance of seed meant other birds took advantage of this unexpected supply of food. Half a dozen Chaffinches and a couple of Greenfinches helped themselves while.a truculent Robin did its best to disrupt proceedings but was seen off by a Blackbird.

I did my best to take some images while trying not to make myself too conspicuous and it worked for a while but then the Hawfinches were spooked by something and flew up into the trees.

I waited but only the Chaffinches came back to join a couple of Woodpigeons and a huge cock Pheasant  feeding on the seed under the trees. When a black cat appeared I decided that it was all over for today

It was bitterly cold in the cemetery and the thought of a coffee just around the corner in one of Woodstock's many cafes proved irresistible.

Postscripts

Tuesday 18th March

I returned to the cemetery for three hours from 0630-1030 and after a very long wait two females spent ten minutes feeding on the seed at around 0930. I have always suspected Hawfinches are late risers and the experience this morning would appear to confirm this

Wednesday 19th March

An early afternoon visit from 1330-1500 resulted in three separate birds flying in from outside the cemetery and into the yews. It is becoming apparent that individual Hawfinches rove around outside the cemetery and obviously have other places to go to feed which makes assessing just how many there are difficult. Maybe they fly back and fore from the extensive grounds of Blenheim Palace that lies just over the road.A single female came down to feed on the seed for ten minutes just before 1500