August is the time here at Balvicar to look out for small flocks of Twite returning to the coast following breeding, as they search out food on unimproved or semi-improved grassland. They feed on a variety of seeds including those of dandelion, sorrel, annual meadow grass and thistle. Most of their time is spent feeding on the ground and they are reminiscent of small mice as they move around with their legs lying flat to the ground.
The Twite is a small, unobtrusive finch, slightly smaller than a Linnet, the Twite being its upland counterpart, but with a longer tail and shorter bill. Its back is tawny brown, streaked dark brown. The buff wingbar is similar to Redpoll. In breeding plumage the male’s rump is pink but this is much more subdued during the rest of the year. Its twittering call, sung from a low perch or in flight is similar to the Linnet’s, but more significant is the characteristic drawn out nasal ‘tveeiht’ (hence Twite !!).
They breed on the moorlands of the Scottish Highlands, northern England and N Wales. In winter some remain in N and W Scotland, near the coast, while others, including Continental birds, move to the coast of eastern England where they can be found on saltmarshes and coastal fields.
Breeding areas are occupied from May to August and they nest in heather or sometimes bracken. Twite nest close to the ground and usually lay five or six eggs. Birds then move out of their upland range, going to more coastal areas. They can stay on the coast from September until April, before the cycle repeats itself.