What future Nightjars, Dartford Warblers and other rare birds as wildfire rips through precious Suffolk heathland?

                                             

Precious heathland habitat goes up in flames and smoke 

RARELY-seen birds have been put in dire peril by a blaze that has been raging for more than 24 hours on a Suffolk heathland.

They include:

* Nightjar

* Nightingale

* Dartford Warbler

* Woodlark.

The flames have engulfed the National Trust's Dunwich Heath and threaten the RSPB's flagship Minsmere reserve as well as the Sizewell B nuclear power station.

The RSPB reckons the damage to habitat has been so intense that it could be another quarter of a century before it returns to how it was just 48 hours ago.

In a series of interviews with mainstream media, the society's Suffolk area manager Adam Rowlands has been explaining the gravity of the situation which affects rare reptiles and butterflies as well as birds.

For him, one of the most distressing moments was when he saw a a stricken Nightjar fluttering over scorched heathland in a smoke-filled sky.

He was taking some comfort from the fact that the breeding season is now almost all over and many birds would be able to flee the scene.

But specialist habitat of this sort is scarce and they face many other threats including that of predation as well as of absence of the right kind of food.

Mr Rowlands praised the work of the firefighters, staff at the RSPB and sister conservation organisations for their work to contain the fire which may take at least another 24 hours to bring under control.

There has also been praise for residents of the village of Westleton for their generosity  in helping the many individuals who  have been evacuated during the emergency. 

                                   

Dunwich Heath as it was before the wildfire (photo: National Trust)