Our friendly '' hood '' neighbour.

With over six million pairs in the UK the Chaffinch is one of our most abundant birds yet often taken for granted, I have to say that I have a bit of a soft spot for them.

Very confiding, almost inquisitive, there are few habitats that do not support them.

The cock bird is a particularly handsome finch with its peaked crown and stunning blue-grey head with  pinkish brown chest and cheeks. The white wing bars are distinctive when on the ground and clearly visible in flight.

The female bird is altogether more subtle, perhaps even anonymous, with pale yellowish brown plumage yet sharing the same wing bars as the male.

Since taking up bird photography I '' see and observe '' things with a focus that was not hitherto the case and this is certainly true of this much overlooked bird.