[pgkevet]

In todays wind we had a sudden landing of a flock of birds ... brown coloured, about the size of finches but more streamlined looking with black tails and a small white flash under their bottoms. Too far away to see more clearly but they pecked at the lawn for a while then the whole lot took off again before I could get a pic.

[DavidandCollette]

Field fares?

[pgkevet]

I was about 80yds away but no suggestion of spots and the white flash was smaller and just around the vent area as best i could judge.

[Fleecewife]

Field fares are not the size of finches, more like thrushes and they make that clacking sound as they go.  Maybe linnets or meadow pippits?  Althought I don't think they have white flashes?

[pgkevet]

Looking at pics of winter linnets that is possible. Google tells me they lose the coloured breast in winter and may be migrating en route from northern and eastern europe which could explain the sudden stop-over of 30-40 for half an hour and being somewhat blown off course....

[cloddopper]

https://www.birdid.co.uk/IdentifyBird.aspx
 A sort of DIY bird ID site

[arobwk]

Prompted by Fleecewife, I'll take a punt on Meadow Pipits. 

[pgkevet]

https://www.birdid.co.uk/IdentifyBird.aspx
 A sort of DIY bird ID site

Nowt found. had tried a couple of birdie id sites before

[pgkevet]

Prompted by Fleecewife, I'll take a punt on Meadow Pipits.

Looking at google pics ..not that light coloured and there's no black tail. The white flash was very restricted to vent or tail feather base.

However memory isa  funny thing and after several days..?? I should have tried to get the good camera out earlier.

[arobwk]

Some kind of Bunting perhaps ?

[Fleecewife]

Now it's my turn to ask a similar question.  I didn't see these birds, a small flock in a hedge, but:  LBJs (little brown jobs) with a pale flash on their backs just above the tail as they flew off.  Any ideas?

[Fleecewife]

Two possibilities I've come up with are juvenile Bullfinches, or at a pinch adult female bullfinches, or meadow pippits.  Meadow pippits seem to spend their time on the ground though, and although you expect to see bullfinches in the trees, do they go around in flocks at this time of year?
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/bullfinch/  then click on 'juvenile bullfinch further down the page.

[Penninehillbilly]

Twite ?

[Fleecewife]

I don't think so.  The rump on these birds was definitely bright white, whereas the twite has a bright pink rump.  Also I don't think they are found here - we've not seen them anyway - and we don't have the kind of specialist seeds they need year round. Thanks for the suggestion 
Or were you responding to the OP?

[Penninehillbilly]

I don't think so.  The rump on these birds was definitely bright white, whereas the twite has a bright pink rump.  Also I don't think they are found here - we've not seen them anyway - and we don't have the kind of specialist seeds they need year round. Thanks for the suggestion 
Or were you responding to the OP?
[/quote
I was thinking of the OP