Wildlife

Wild Twite Coastal Welfare and Northern Upland Management

Twite are declining finches associated with upland areas in summer and coastal marshes in winter. Their welfare requires both upland and coastal habitat conservation.

Key Facts

Twite have declined by over 40% since the 1970s in the UK
Northern upland populations breed in heather moorland near coastal townships
East coast wintering flocks depend on sea lavender and glasswort seed in saltmarshes
Traditional crofting management in the northern isles supports breeding twite

Welfare Considerations

Twite welfare requires traditional crofting management that maintains seed-rich hay meadows and rough grassland alongside coastal saltmarsh access in winter. Loss of either habitat reduces population viability.

What You Can Do

Support crofting community land management in the northern and western isles
Submit twite sightings to BTO BirdTrack during both breeding and winter seasons
Advocate for saltmarsh protection on the East Anglian and Yorkshire coasts