A pair of Dartford warblers have successfully raised two broods this year in a carefully managed area of the Forest of Dean, marking an exciting milestone for one of the UK’s most distinctive heathland birds.

The breeding success was confirmed after the pair were observed nesting and successfully raising young. They went on to raise a second brood later in the season.

Dartford warblers are small, dark brown-grey warblers with a distinctive long tail and red eye ring. They nest close to the ground, typically among dense heather and gorse, and feed on insects and spiders. The mix of scrub, gorse and heather at the site provides ideal conditions for the birds, offering both nesting cover and a plentiful supply of food.

The exact location is being kept confidential to protect the birds and their young.

Tina Bouttle, Environmental Records Officer at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, says the recording is a positive sign: "Dartford warblers are rare birds with very specific needs. The fact that they have settled in the Forest of Dean is a great indication that the area is being managed effectively and providing the right conditions for them. It’s particularly exciting to see them successfully raise two broods, and a positive sign that the habitat is supporting a wider range of wildlife.”

Dartford warblers were once widespread across southern England, but their numbers fell dramatically during the harsh winters of the 1960s, bringing the species close to extinction in the UK. Their population has since recovered, although they remain relatively scarce and are strongly associated with heathland and other open habitats.

The successful breeding is an encouraging sign that suitable habitat in the Forest of Dean can support species that have historically been associated with other parts of the country.

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