Wildlife Welfare

Wild Twite Conservation Welfare

Twites are small finches of upland moorland and coastal marshes facing severe population decline. Their welfare depends on seed-rich habitats that have been lost through agricultural intensification.

Key Facts

UK twite populations declined by over 80% between 1970 and 2020
Twites nest on upland moorland but descend to coastal saltmarsh for winter feeding
Heather moorland with adjacent rough grassland provides optimal breeding habitat
Loss of traditional hay meadows has removed seed food sources on which twites depend
Targeted agri-environment options including seed-rich hay meadow restoration benefit twites

Welfare Considerations

Individual twites face welfare challenges from insufficient seed food availability in both breeding and wintering habitats. The loss of traditional seed-rich hay meadows has removed winter food resources that formerly sustained large coastal wintering flocks. Targeted habitat management restoring seed-rich grassland and protecting coastal saltmarsh provides essential welfare resources for this severely declining species.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and Wildlife Trust twite conservation programmes
Advocate for agri-environment schemes targeting hay meadow and saltmarsh habitat restoration
Report twite sightings to contribute to population monitoring