Please can someone help me to identify a bird seen on Sunday in the Nottinghamshire countryside? It had deep crimson sides to its face. Its back was dark brown. It was longer and slimmer than a robin - about 7 inches from head to tail. When seen it was resting on a hedge. It was alone.
either goldfinch, bullfinch or chaffinch. Weather was perfect on Sunday so colours would have looked particularly vivid in the sunlight. Goldfinches tend to be in groups, so do chaffinches. Most bullfinches I have seen have been on their own- though thats no guarantee!!