TheTwite is a small, brown finch that feeds on the seeds of a variety of plants, especially dandelion, sorrel, annual meadow-grass and thistles. It has declined in England by 50% since 1991 and the entire English breeding population was estimated in 1999 at only 215 pairs .
The main area whereTwite breed in England is the southern Pennines. Here, the birds nest in areas of bracken or heather in the unenclosed land at the edges of moors. To breed successfully they need Hay Meadow farmland within 3 km of the nest that can provide enough food for them to raise a brood.
The twite is a partial migrant with some birds remaining in the breeding areas in winter but most moving to coastal sites.
Main Habitat(s): Hay meadows; pastures; moorland edge; unimproved or semi-improved grasslands; saltmarsh (winter).
National Status
In 1999 the UK twite population was estimated at 10,000 pairs, more than 95% of which were in Scotland. The English population is almost entirely confined to the South Pennines.
The twite is on the 'Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern' because of its historical population decline. It is known to have undergone a significant fall in numbers recently but the full extent of this decline is unknown
