What future the 'Pennine' finch?

SOME 16 years after launching its Twite Recovery Project in the north of England, the RSPB has warned that the future of the species - also known as the Pennine finch - remains a cause for concern.

It says: "A bird once widespread and locally abundant in the uplands is  now close to extinction in England."

Unlike other fast-declining (or disappeared) breeding species such as the nightingale, the wryneck and the turtle dove, the diminutive  twite does not enjoy 'celebrity' status.

Dowdy of plumage (apart from its pink rump) and with an unremarkable call, few would notice if it disappeared from our landscape.

But the RSPB is determined to keep fighting the twite's corner. It is currently recruiting for an officer to oversee the recovery project into its 17th year.

Previous post holders have included Tim Melling and Katie Aspin.

The favoured breeding habitat of the twite is moorland, but, in England, there are now thought to be only a handful of breeding sites, all in the South Pennines in a triangle of uplands between Manchester, Leeds and Halifax.

Since 1999, the population decline has been well over 70 per cent, but why?

Says the RSPB: "Reasons for the decline include reduced availability of seed, especially later in the breeding season, loss of suitable breeding habitat (which is primarily mature heather or bracken) and predation by other creatures.

"Accidental and deliberate moorland fires are also thought to be a factor."

To date, the  recovery project has involved encouraging some 68 landholders to sign 10-year agri-environment agreements with clauses to benefit twite, including late-cut dates so seed is available for second broods.

Some 700 ha of hay meadow and pasture is now managed to provide natural food sources for twite throughout the breeding season.

There has also been extensive planting of key twite food plants such as dandelion, common sorrel and autumn hawkbit, plus provision of supplementary food.

Further information about the project officer vacancy is at:

Part Time Twite Project Manager | RSPB (vacancy-filler.co.uk)