Bid on track to help songbird under threat
IN days gone by the twite would be seen on a regular basis in the Glossop area. My favourite spot was around Devil’s Elbow, but that was then.
Today the twite is a songbird that, without help, may disappear completely from England. The decline of the species is so concerning that it is on the conservation ‘Red List.’
Twites’ numbers have suffered as the availability of autumn seeds, as well as mature heather and bracken, has become scarcer, resulting in less food and suitable nesting sites.
There are only 170 pairs left in the country, and despite the Dove Holes Quarry near Buxton, Derbyshire, being home to less than 10 pairs it is a significant population.
Weighing less than a pinch of salt – only 0.5 grams – tiny trackers will show how the twites of the Derbyshire quarry live.
For the first time it will reveal where this population of twites go as they seek food and shelter.
It is hoped that this research will help scientists to understand more about the behaviour of twite at this location, as well as what might help the species recover elsewhere in England.
The tiny technology has been designed to monitor the movements of the birds for less than a month before falling off as the birds moult.
And trackers have only been used on male twites to avoid any disturbance to breeding females.
Katrina Aspin, the RSPB’s twite expert, said: “Although charming singers, twites have disappeared from much of England. So we are eager to learn more about the daily life of the twites at Dove Holes.
“If we can better understand how they are living, we can look at what steps we can take to help twite populations recover elsewhere.
“And importantly, as the quarry both expands and is restored, we can ensure the right conditions remain so the Derbyshire twite can continue to call the area home.”
The tracking information will help CEMEX plan the restoration of the Dove Holes Quarry, so that any work avoids important nesting sites.
Andy Spencer, sustainability director, CEMEX UK, said “Restoration of quarries gives nature a home.
“At this quarry originally, five hectares of land around the quarry operations were seeded with a special flower-rich mix to ensure supplies of dandelion and sorrel seeds which the young twite need to survive.
“Working in partnership with the RSPB has helped the survival of this rare bird.
“Tracking twites will give us even more information to enable us to restore land to help them.”
Two male twites have been fitted with tracking devices, and data will be collected over the next few weeks.
Fingers crossed we will have some good news.