Chaffinches had not been seen since 1980

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Bókfinka – Chaffinch – Fringilla coelebs (male)

The Chaffinch is a vagrant in Iceland and here in the Selfoss area they had not been seen since 1980. This winter there have been four to five birds in the garden most weeks since October. They have come and gone for a couple of days always returning. These photoes were taken yesterday.

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Bókfinka – Chaffinch – Fringilla coelebs (female)

In the beginning of November we had three types of Finches, a Brambling and a Siskin, but the Chaffinches are the only ones that have stayed up until now. We can not help wondering why they are here this winter?