Common Chaffinch near Møns Klint — that’s how this story begins, on a winding forest trail just above Denmark’s famous white cliffs. At first, I thought I had spotted a European Robin. But a second look told me otherwise. The slate-blue crown. The warm salmon-pink chest. The proud posture. This wasn’t a robin. This was a Chaffinch — and a particularly dashing one at that.
The Encounter
It was a quiet morning under the beech canopy. The cliffs may attract the headlines, but the real magic that day was found among shadows and birdsong of the Common Chaffinch.
His song reached me first — that crisp, cascading call that rolls and falls with perfect timing. I followed the sound and found him perched, completely still, three metres above me on a smooth old branch. He wasn’t in a hurry. He wasn’t hiding. Just… singing. And as I watched, I realized how easy it is to overlook the common, even when it sings directly to you.
Species Spotlight — The Common Chaffinch
The Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is widespread throughout Europe, one of those species we think we know — until we truly look. Males in spring are especially handsome: a blue-grey crown, reddish breast, black-and-white wings, and a bill sharpened for both seeds and insects.
Each male chaffinch has his own song, slightly different from the next — a forest filled with soloists, each asserting their patch. And they’re fiercely proud of their territories, especially when rivals like another Common Chaffinch come too close.
Though often seen on the ground in parks and gardens, they love forest perches for singing. That’s their stage. And that morning, I was lucky enough to be in the audience.
Reflections — The Familiar, Revisited
Common Chaffinch near Møns Klint might not sound like a rare sighting. But there’s a lesson in that. Not every bird encounter has to be a rarity or an exotic visitor. Sometimes, the beauty is in recognising the character and charisma of the birds we think we already know.
In that forest — green, quiet, alive — the chaffinch reminded me why I do this. The presence of the Common Chaffinch highlighted the importance of paying attention. Not just to what is rare, but to what is right in front of us, every day, if we choose to see it.
The Photographer’s View
📍 Woodland trail near Møns Klint, Møn, Denmark
📷 Sony A7R V + Sony 200–600mm f/5.6–6.3 G OSS
⚙️ ISO 2000, 1/800 sec, f/6.3, handheld, low light under canopy
The chaffinch perched in gentle shade, about 3 meters up. This Common Chaffinch in particular posed beautifully, and light was low, so I pushed the ISO and kept the shutter fast to avoid blur. The background — all leaf and light — gave a lovely soft contrast to his sharply marked plumage.
No drama, no chase. Just stillness. I love those moments when the bird simply lets you be with it.
The Common Chaffinch’s Call to the Flock
Have you had a quiet moment with a Common Chaffinch? Heard that melody tumbling through your local woods? Or perhaps misidentified one like I did?
I’d love to hear your stories, your chaffinch photos, your favourite spring songsters. Let’s celebrate the familiar birds, such as the Common Chaffinch, that bring beauty to our daily walks.
Leave a Reply