[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 ?