Print

Conservation

The UK breeding population was estimated at 10,000 pairs in 1999. Most twite breed in north-west Scotland where they nest in loose groups on moorland and along rocky coasts and feed in adjacent areas of marginal farming. Much of the remaining population breeds in the south Pennines of England, with very small numbers in Wales and Northern Ireland.

In winter, they often form large flocks, where they feed in seed-rich habitats on farmland and salt-marshes.

The twite is Red listed because of a long-term decline in its breeding population. More recently, there has been a substantial decline in range in the south Pennines (81 per cent between 1990 and 2004-5), while there is some evidence of a contraction in range in Scotland.

While the causes of the decline are unknown, they are likely to include losses of summer and winter food supplies, and suitable nesting habitat. In the south Pennines, RSPB and Natural England are undertaking a recovery project to halt and reverse the population decline of this charismatic little finch.

Last modified: 22 July 2011

Twite

• Conservation
• Videos