Dartford warbler stages a comeback 60 years after almost vanishing
Summary
The Dartford warbler, a small bird that nearly disappeared from southern England in the 1960s, is making a strong comeback. A recent survey found the highest number of pairs ever on RSPB nature reserves, helped by habitat restoration efforts that improve the heathland environment the birds need.Key Facts
- In 2025, 264 pairs of Dartford warblers were counted on RSPB nature reserves, a 44% increase over five years.
- The Dartford warbler is a small grey-brown bird with a red eye ring, russet breast, and long tail.
- They live in lowland heathland in southern England and need dense gorse bushes for shelter and food.
- The species nearly went extinct in England in the 1960s, surviving only in Dorset.
- RSPB has worked to restore heathland by removing trees, converting farmland back to heath, and connecting habitat patches.
- Lowland heathland is an endangered habitat in the UK, with 80% lost since the 1800s due to farming and forestry.
- Dartford warblers feed mainly on spiders and caterpillars found in gorse.
- The birds were recorded at 14 RSPB reserves across southern England, including Arne, Aylesbeare, Minsmere, and Farnham Heath.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.