Brambling

The brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) is a member of the finch family that is a winter visitor to the British Isles.


Distribution

Bramblings are very common in continental Europe, where large flocks migrate from the forests of Scandinavia to central and southern Europe in late September, returning to their northern breeding grounds in March and April.

The numbers reaching Britain can vary tremendously, depending on weather conditions and other factors. In some years as few as 50,000 birds over-winter whereas in others the population can approach two million.

If the winter is particularly harsh, with snow cover making feeding difficult, individual bramblings may take food from garden feeding trays, even in urban areas. However, they are relatively uncommon garden visitors in comparison with other finches.

The brambling is not regarded as being under immediate threat as a species, although many British birdwatchers may not have seen a brambling very often. However, it is possible that bramblings are seen more often than is realised, due to their habit of mixing with chaffinch flocks and therefore possibly being mistaken for the more familiar bird.


Appearance and behaviour

The brambling is similar in shape to the chaffinch, with which it is often seen in mixed flocks, but is slightly smaller at 14-15 centimetres in length (nearly 6 inches). Male birds have an orange-buff breast, white underparts and mottled brown head and back. They have a white rump that is seen when in flight. In summer, the head becomes much darker and the breast colour more intense. Female bramblings are generally lighter in colour, without the summer/winter changes seen in the males.

The brambling has a sharp metallic call, but the male birds also have a more prolonged chattering song that is heard as the breeding season approaches.

The winter habitat of the brambling is fields and meadows close to woodland, particularly beech woods where beechmast is a favourite food. They also feed on seeds and berries, particularly of mountain ash (rowan), alder and birch trees, which are all very common in northern forests.


Breeding

During the breeding season in northern Europe, the preferred habitat is coniferous forest, where the nest is made from moss, plant stalks and lichen. The clutch, usually laid in June, is of four to seven eggs, which hatch after around 14 days of incubation by the female bird on her own. Both parents feed the nestlings with insects and larvae for up to another 14 days in the nest and also for a short time after fledging. Insects are also the food of adult birds during the summer months.

© John Welford