Dartford Warbler
Surfbirds News: RSPB Archives
Warblers advance on all fronts
Britain's most colourful warbler is spreading its territorial wings because warmer winters and better heathland management have increased its chances of survival.
The latest UK survey of Dartford warblers, by the RSPB, BTO, Natural England and Forestry Commission England, shows that numbers have soared by 70 per cent since the last count in 1994. The bird has returned to Wales, the Midlands and East Anglia and now there are more than 3,000 pairs – the highest tally for more than 40 years.
Dartford Warbler © Kit Day
But while the
Dartford warbler
is flying north, west and east from its strongholds in southern England, conservationists say that more is needed to protect and restore heathlands to help the bird further its advance.
Simon Wotton, Research Biologist at the RSPB, said: 'This survey is fantastic news for a very vulnerable bird, particularly because it has moved to higher ground not used by Dartford warblers for many years.
'Warmer winters mean the birds are likely to push even further north but they can only do that if there are heathland sites available, which are protected from development. If the government is to help wildlife adapt to climate change it should be assigning more land for the creation of habitats to help birds like these.
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