Twite
Carduelis flavirostris
Gleoiseach sléibhe
Status All Ireland: Breeding
Population estimate all Ireland: 50 – 150 pairs
Trend (12 years): Decline
Trend (40 years): Decline
Survey timing: April to July
Habitat: Coastal cliffs
Occurrence: Mainly found along the coasts of west Counties Donegal and Mayo (north).
Habitat preference (simple description of preferred nesting habitat): Nests are generally found in bracken and ling heather, usually close to the ground and generally associated with steep slopes, often with the heather over-hanging rock. Egg laying begins in mid-April and continues until August (two broods). It is estimated that breeding birds will travel over 3km to suitable foraging areas i.e. coastal grasslands containing common chickweed, sea thrift, autumn hawkbit and sea plantain.
Preferred ways to establish breeding status: Proven / Probable breeding: bird holding territory (note: male generally sings from a prominent perch within (approximately) 20 metres of the nest) and singing in same area on more than one visit; courtship or display behaviour seen; adult seen nest building or carrying nesting material; nest found with incubating female, eggs or nestlings; anxiety calls/agitated behaviour of adult bird indicating presence of nest or young; adult carrying food or faecal sac; recently fledged young seen or heard (begging calls). Possible breeding: birds using the site during the breeding period (April to July), but with no evidence of breeding (as above).
