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Mission to save willow tit from extinction Project aims to save willow tit from extinction
(14 days later)
The population of willow tits in Britain has fallen by 94% since 1970, said Natural EnglandThe population of willow tits in Britain has fallen by 94% since 1970, said Natural England
Work is under way in Cornwall to help save a native bird which nature experts have described as "dangerously close to extinction".Work is under way in Cornwall to help save a native bird which nature experts have described as "dangerously close to extinction".
The county is one of the last areas in southern England which still has willow tits, according to Natural England (NE).The county is one of the last areas in southern England which still has willow tits, according to Natural England (NE).
As part of the project, areas of Goss Moor in mid Cornwall are being managed to create habitat where it is easier for the birds to forage.As part of the project, areas of Goss Moor in mid Cornwall are being managed to create habitat where it is easier for the birds to forage.
Beth Lloyd-Davies, senior reserves manager for Goss Moor National Nature Reserve, said: "The bird is really special. We need to do all we can to protect it."Beth Lloyd-Davies, senior reserves manager for Goss Moor National Nature Reserve, said: "The bird is really special. We need to do all we can to protect it."
Beth Lloyd-Davies, senior reserves manager for Goss Moor National Nature Reserve, described the willow tit as a special birdBeth Lloyd-Davies, senior reserves manager for Goss Moor National Nature Reserve, described the willow tit as a special bird
NE, which is funding the initiative, said the willow tit was believed to be the UK's fastest declining resident bird.NE, which is funding the initiative, said the willow tit was believed to be the UK's fastest declining resident bird.
It said only a core population remained on the mid-Cornwall moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), particularly Goss Moor and Helman Tor.It said only a core population remained on the mid-Cornwall moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), particularly Goss Moor and Helman Tor.
NE said the willow tit was:NE said the willow tit was:
The only British tit species to excavate its own nest holesThe only British tit species to excavate its own nest holes
Timid and sometimes bullied by great tits and blue titsTimid and sometimes bullied by great tits and blue tits
A bird that thrived in wet woodland and scrubland of mixed ageA bird that thrived in wet woodland and scrubland of mixed age
Willow is being cut back at Goss Moor to encourage regrowth and create foraging ground for willow titsWillow is being cut back at Goss Moor to encourage regrowth and create foraging ground for willow tits
Ian Moye, who is managing the conservation work, said the project included clearing large areas of scrub.Ian Moye, who is managing the conservation work, said the project included clearing large areas of scrub.
"It's about increasing biodiversity, with more insects and invertebrates," he said."It's about increasing biodiversity, with more insects and invertebrates," he said.
"It creates a good habitat for willow tits, especially when they are feeding their young.""It creates a good habitat for willow tits, especially when they are feeding their young."
Peter Roseveare, from Cornwall Birds, has been monitoring willow tit numbers as part of the Cornwall Willow Tit ProjectPeter Roseveare, from Cornwall Birds, has been monitoring willow tit numbers as part of the Cornwall Willow Tit Project
Peter Roseveare, of Cornwall Birds which is also part of the project, said he was optimistic the work would help save the willow tit.Peter Roseveare, of Cornwall Birds which is also part of the project, said he was optimistic the work would help save the willow tit.
"If we continue to do this work on a habitat wide scale, the bounce back could be pretty quick," he said."If we continue to do this work on a habitat wide scale, the bounce back could be pretty quick," he said.
The University of Exeter, Natural England and Cornwall Birds are working with other local groups as part of the project.The University of Exeter, Natural England and Cornwall Birds are working with other local groups as part of the project.
Natural England said semi-rotten logs and branches were ideal nest sites for willow titsNatural England said semi-rotten logs and branches were ideal nest sites for willow tits
David Marshall, programme manager at NE, said the focus of its work was nature recovery and inspiring others to manage land in a nature friendly way.David Marshall, programme manager at NE, said the focus of its work was nature recovery and inspiring others to manage land in a nature friendly way.
"The habitat restoration is giving the population a real chance to recover," he said."The habitat restoration is giving the population a real chance to recover," he said.
A Defra spokesperson said the government was committed to protecting and restoring nature, including reversing the decline in species.A Defra spokesperson said the government was committed to protecting and restoring nature, including reversing the decline in species.
"That is why we are investing over £400m into nature's recovery to create habitats for wildlife to thrive and families to enjoy," they said."That is why we are investing over £400m into nature's recovery to create habitats for wildlife to thrive and families to enjoy," they said.
"We are also investing £5bn into farming over the next two years – the largest ever directed at sustainable food production and nature recovery in our country's history.""We are also investing £5bn into farming over the next two years – the largest ever directed at sustainable food production and nature recovery in our country's history."
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