When the blossom is misted with spring’s gentle rain,
He announces his kingdom with lilting refrain
Tumbling prelude, vibrant finish,
May we never let his song diminish.
One of our most familiar and delightful garden birds. Can there be a garden which isn’t visited by these delightful heralds.
They will commonly sit right at the top of the tallest tree and fill the garden with their ringing song. Of course they are also frequent visitors to the ground beneath our bird tables where they will eat seed and grain, their beaks are clearly adapted for their chosen food.
In folklore they are considered reliable, friendly and trustworthy, their song is often felt to be an encouragement to “get on” with the day’s work.
The latin name for the species – Fringilla coelebs – translates as “Batchelor Finch”, probably earned due to their habit of gathering in single sex flocks in winter.
Published 11th April 2026 by Steve Allanson
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