Spring at Sizergh

Hawfinch Watch

Sizergh is home to many species of birds, from barn owls to goldcrests, kestrels to pied flycatchers and many more.

One of Sizergh’s best bits is the Hawfinch – a beautiful, elusive and increasingly rare bird. Sizergh is a reliable and accessible place to see these birds close up.

Hawfinches are large charismatic finches with a bill powerful enough to crack cherry stones. At Sizergh these handsome birds prefer fallen seed from hornbeam trees that surround the carpark and garden.

The birds can be spotted in the visitor car park area between February and April, and early mornings are the most rewarding. So, every Friday in April, from 8-9:30am, Ranger Rob will lead Hawfinch Watch. It’s a chance to learn all about this beautiful bird, why it loves Sizergh, and how to improve your chances of spotting it.

The Spring Bird Challenge

The varied habitat across Sizergh’s estate provides diverse habitats for lots of other species, from dippers and kingfishers on the river Kent, to green woodpeckers and spotted flycatchers on Helsington Barrows, stock doves and kestrels over the species rich grassland and Marsh Harriers and Bitterns in Parkend Wetland.

The Spring Bird Challenge follows the new Holeslack accessible route and will introduce you to some of Sizergh’s special birds. The trail finishes in the great barn, where there’s the opportunity to crown your winner, and to find out where best to spot the species across the estate.