Haw Finch

Waiting for the Hawfinch

Birdwatching is a journey into the unknown—you never quite know what you’ll see or who you might meet. It’s a waiting game, a test of patience and quiet observation.

Today, I have one goal: to catch a glimpse of the hawfinch. She is a bird of mystery—shy, elusive, and rarely seen. With her powerful beak and rich chestnut plumage, she blends perfectly into the wild fruit trees, making her even harder to spot.

I settle down among the scrub, positioning myself near a patch of berry-laden branches. The air is cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and ripening fruit. A few birds flit past—robins, finches, a blackbird rustling in the undergrowth—but no sign of my hawfinch.

Then—a tickling sensation.

I glance down at my boot and freeze. A whole raft of ants is marching up my leg, determined and relentless. They weave through the folds of my trousers, some already reaching my knee. I try to stay still—moving now could send a wave of disturbance through the trees—but it’s no use. I have to act.

A quick, frantic brushing session follows, my hands swiping at my legs as silently as possible. The ants scatter, offended by the sudden eviction. But the damage is done. I settle back down, heart sinking. My commotion may have scared away any nearby birds.

Minutes pass. Maybe longer.

Then—a flicker of movement.

I hold my breath. There, perched on a low branch, she sits.

The hawfinch.

Her chestnut feathers gleam in the dappled sunlight, and her sharp eyes scan the berries before she delicately plucks one. The powerful beak, built for cracking open tough seeds, works effortlessly.

She is even more beautiful than I imagined.

I stay perfectly still, drinking in every detail—the way she shifts her weight, the slight tilt of her head as she surveys her surroundings. The moment feels almost sacred, as if I’ve stepped into her world rather than the other way around.

Then, as quickly as she appeared, she vanishes, slipping back into the foliage.

I exhale slowly, a grin spreading across my face.

The wait was worth it. This is a sight I won’t forget anytime soon.

And despite the ants, this day is now perfect