The hawfinch was seen by my girlfriend Samaya who, as some of you who have met her will know, is a very good birder. She has seen hawfinch with myself on several occasions and she can 100% confirm this bird as a hawfinch. She called me at work, in some shock, after seeing the bird to verify it's field characteristics. She saw the bird land at only c.8 meters, where it perched for 10-15 seconds before flying south. She went in search of the bird but had no further luck. I posted on birdguides as soon as I got chance in the hope that any local birders may have been able to relocate the bird.
I apologise for the late response to this thread but I did not finish work until late this evening. Samaya doesn't currently have a birdguides or Manchester birding account (she tends just to read through mine when I'm logged on), otherwise I'm sure she would have responded quicker. I have the day off tomorrow however, so I'll certainly be out checking the area in the morning.
If anyone has any further questions about the bird I will be sure to pass them on to Samaya and reply promptly on her behalf.
Sorry, I can't resist one little (pedantic) point , this alleged Hawfinch is nothing but a 'reported sighting' currently and certainly doesn't constitute an actual record. Once this post has slipped onto the next page it will be forgotten about and consigned to a mere 'report'. Hopefully an observer will come forward officially though and verification on the sighting made; that would be great.
Good point Ian. Verification would be nice, as would a twitchable bird!
Sorry, I can't resist one little (pedantic) point , this alleged Hawfinch is nothing but a 'reported sighting' currently and certainly doesn't constitute an actual record. Once this post has slipped onto the next page it will be forgotten about and consigned to a mere 'report'. Hopefully an observer will come forward officially though and verification on the sighting made; that would be great.
, this alleged Hawfinch is nothing but a 'reported sighting' currently and certainly doesn't constitute an actual record. Once this post has slipped onto the next page it will be forgotten about and consigned to a mere 'report'. Hopefully an observer will come forward officially though and verification on the sighting made; that would be great.