Biodiversity Action Plan

Twite

In England, twite only breed in the uplands of the South Pennines, and approximately a quarter of those breed in the Peak District. The twite is one of the Peak District’s rarest birds.

The Peak District Moorland Breeding Bird Survey in 2004 showed a massive 92% decline in breeding pairs since 1990. The main cause of this decline is likely to be related to the loss of hay meadows which provide an important summer seed source for chick rearing.

This small brown finch-like bird is dependent both on moorland for nesting, and seed-rich sites on the moorland fringe for feeding, which makes it vulnerable to localised habitat changes. However, recent shifts in habitat use have seen twite breeding in disused quarry sites in the Peak District.

The twite has a diet consisting entirely of seeds, which may be linked to its downfall. As hay meadows, lightly grazed pastures, and unmanaged sites have disappeared, so too has the supply of late summer seeds.

Ongoing conservation work by BAP partners for hay meadows, rough grazing and moorlands, will all help to protect the twite population in the Peak District.

Twite action plan (290KB)

Peak Birds Project