Dartford warbler disappearing from Devon

FEARS: There are worries the Dartford warbler could disappear from Devon

Harsh winters take their toll

July 2011: A sharp decline in Dartford warbler numbers on East Devon's heathlands has prompted fears for the rare bird's future. Dartford warblers are found only on heathlands in the UK, and became almost extinct as a breeding bird here in the Sixties.

However efforts over the past two decades to restore habitats have seen the population recover. But a combination of two harsh winters and recent heathland wild fires has hit the birds hard in East Devon and the RSPB is worried.

Another cold winter could spell the end
Toby Taylor, site manager for the RSPB in East Devon said: ‘We've now had two very cold winters. Dartford warblers rely entirely on insects and spiders and in cold conditions where there's little to eat they really struggle. And, on top of this they've suffered with wild fires right in the middle of the breeding season. This year on Aylesbeare Common we've had only three singing males when last year we had 13, and we're receiving similar reports from other sites.'

Dartford warblers are very much on the edge of their global range in the West Country and conservationists are worried that should Devon experience another bad winter the birds might be lost as a breeding species in the county.

Toby added: ‘The best we can do is continue to maintain the heathlands in pristine condition and keep our fingers crossed we don't have another bad winter.'