1 DECEMBER 2017 • 12:01AM
Flocks of rare hawfinches have
begun arriving in Britain in huge numbers following crop failures in Germany
and Romania.
The little birds largely bypass
the UK in the winter, staying in central Europe, but poor harvests on the
continent has sent them further north looking for autumn fruits and nuts.
Nature experts are urging people
to get outside this weekend to glimpse the elusive birds that are renowned for
their parrot like bills, and which are flocking in groups of 100 or more, which
is around 12 times the national average.
The National Trust has
reported there hawfinches at Fyne Court, Somerset - where hawfinches have not
been seen for seven years - as well Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, Sizergh, in
Cumbria and the Slindon Estate in West Sussex.
The birds have also been spotted
at Sissinghurst in Kent, Felbrigg in Norfolk, Hatfield Forest in Essex,
Basildon Park in Berks, Steps Hill at Ashridge in Bucks and Wimpole in Cambs.
Nature specialist Matthew Oates,
says, “There has been an unprecedented influx of these shy and secretive birds
to our shores.
“The keenest of birders may only
spot a handful of hawfinches during years of birdwatching but right now,
everyone has a chance.
