Source: BBC
A rare bird species has been confirmed to be breeding in Herefordshire for the first time in over 140 years.
A pair of hawfinches were spotted nesting in local woodlands by an observant ornithologist. This marks the first sighting of the species in the area in more than a century.
In another exciting discovery, multiple pairs of tree sparrows were found nesting on a farm in north-west Herefordshire, marking the first breeding record for the species in nine years.
Both discoveries were made during surveys carried out by the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) on Local Wildlife Sites—designated areas vital for the preservation of wildlife.
The HWT highlighted the hawfinch as one of Britain’s rarest woodland birds, with an estimated national population of only 500 breeding pairs. "These large finches typically nest in colonies, so this sighting could suggest the presence of an undiscovered population in Herefordshire and the Welsh Marches," the trust explained.
While not as rare, tree sparrows have experienced a severe population decline of 98% since the 1960s, largely due to Dutch elm disease and modern farming practices, which have drastically affected their habitats.
The surveys also revealed a rare type of ancient woodland, one of the last remaining fragments of Britain’s temperate rainforest, which once stretched along the west coast. Less than 1% of this habitat still exists, and one of the few examples known to survive in Herefordshire was found alongside the tree sparrow nests.
Toby Fountain, Project Officer at the HWT, commented, “This project is not only uncovering important wildlife and habitats but also showcasing the proactive conservation efforts being made by private landowners in the region. We hope this will lead to a strong, long-term collaboration between these landowners and the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.”
(Source: BBC News)
