A remarkable discovery of rare bird species breeding in Herefordshire has thrilled the local wildlife trust.

A pair of hawfinches, among Britain’s rarest woodland birds, were observed in a local woodland by an ornithologist.

With a national population of only 500 pairs, this sighting is significant.

Meanwhile, several pairs of tree sparrows were discovered nesting on a north-west Herefordshire farm—the first recorded breeding in nine years.

Both findings emerged from surveys conducted by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) on Local Wildlife Sites, areas deemed vital for wildlife conservation.

“These huge finches often nest in colonies so this record may indicate the presence of a previously unknown population in Herefordshire and the Welsh Marches,” it said.

The trust highlighted the plight of tree sparrows, whose population has plummeted by 98% since the 1960s due to habitat loss from Dutch elm disease and modern farming practices.

Adding to the excitement, a fragment of ancient temperate rainforest was identified at the same site as the tree sparrows. This rare habitat, which once blanketed much of Britain’s west coast, now covers less than 1% of its former range.

The trust noted that this discovery represents one of the few known examples of such rainforest in Herefordshire.

These findings underscore the importance of conserving Herefordshire’s natural heritage and the critical role of Local Wildlife Sites in supporting biodiversity.

Project Officer Toby Fountain said: “As well as turning up some brilliant wildlife and habitats, this project is also revealing some of the exciting and ambitious conservation work being carried out by private landowners in the county.

“I hope this will be the basis of a productive long-term partnership between such individuals and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.”