Brambling ( Fringilla montifringilla )

I know it is a ropey shot with no artistic value, however, it is purely a record shot.  Only yesterday I was saying to Clickychick that I hadn't yet seen any "winter thrushes" or Bramblings and there when I first looked out of the window was one in the Whitebeam.  Later it was on the ground under the feeders.

The Brambling illustrates very well why I am so fascinated by birds.  This little scrap of life weighing marginally less than an ounce (well probably nearer 3/4 oz - 21g) has flown, probably non-stop from Scandinavia.  True some birds of all species do sometimes rest on oil rigs but the majority make the flight without stopping.  As the scientific name suggests this is a close relation of the Chaffinch and is sometimes mistaken for them, the white rump in flight is diagnostic.  This is a male.