Chaffinchs in Scotland
When the Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is present in Scotland, when it nests, and which native Scotland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Scotland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–June
- Size
- 14.5 cm, 24 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
- Delivery
- Perch Supply ships to the UK
When to expect chaffinchs in Scotland
The Chaffinch lives in Scotland all year round. Short days and regular snow inland; Scandinavian Bramblings, Fieldfares and Waxwings often arrive in numbers.
Cool maritime in the west, more continental and drier in the east; the Highlands are markedly colder.
Nesting in Scotland
In Scotland the Chaffinch usually nests May–June. Nest site: neat lichen-covered cup in a tree fork. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days; chicks fledge after 12–15 days, and pairs raise 1–2 per year.
- The Chaffinch does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Scotland plants for chaffinchs
Of the native plants we track for Scotland, these 7 provide food the Chaffinch uses:
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Supports more insect life than any other European tree; acorns for Jays.
Beechmast feeds Bramblings, Chaffinches and Nuthatches.
Hazelnuts for Nuthatches, Jays and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Feeding in the garden
Seeds; caterpillars for chicks.
- Best foods: Sunflower hearts, Seed mix.
- Feeders: Ground tray, Open table.
- Chaffinches prefer to feed on the ground below hanging feeders.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are chaffinchs in Scotland all year?
Yes — the Chaffinch is resident in Scotland all year.
When do chaffinchs nest in Scotland?
Typically May–June. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help chaffinchs in Scotland?
Teasel, Common knapweed, Silver birch, Alder, Pedunculate oak, Beech, Hazel are native to Scotland and provide food or cover the Chaffinch uses.
Chaffinchs in other countries
Other garden birds in Scotland
Sources
- Chaffinch — RSPB bird guide
- Chaffinch — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — British Trust for Ornithology
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.