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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Steven Morris

Dartford warbler stages a comeback 60 years after almost vanishing

A Dartford warbler with grey head, rust-colored breast and long tail perches on a thorny branch, singing
Dartford warblers rely on dense gorse in areas of mature heathland for food and shelter. Photograph: Les Cater/RSPB Images

More than half a century after the Dartford warbler almost vanished from the English countryside, the charismatic heathland bird appears to be staging a comeback.

A survey has revealed the highest number of Dartford warblers ever recorded on reserves run by the bird conservation charity RSPB, with 264 pairs counted in 2025, a 44% increase in five years.

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