Conservationists are highlighting the plight of another rare bird in Surrey to raise awareness of the scale of decline in the county's woodland wildlife species.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says that the willow tit, which was once widespread across the UK, has plummeted in number over the last 30 years.

The charity said now recorded sightings have all but ceased in Surrey.

And it pointed to the plight of the country's smallest woodpecker, the lesser spotted woodpecker, too, saying it is also an increasingly rare sound in the South-east and the rest of the UK.

Previously, the RSPB has drawn attention to arguably Surrey's rarest bird, the Dartford Warbler, which was once regularly spotted in the region's heathland areas, including Reigate Heath, but is now a very rare sight since a crash in its numbers in recent years.

The RSPB was presenting the findings in the wake of last month's State of Nature report.

The report drawn up by a coalition of conservation groups and experts revealed that 60% of our woodland species have decreased, and 34% have decreased strongly, over recent decades.

The report stated that of 262 woodland flowering plants assessed, 30 of them – or 11% - are on the national “Red List.” Some are considered Critically Endangered, including green hound’s-tongue, which prefers open glades and rides in woodland.

The fall in butterflies has also been flagged up.

Within our woodlands, butterflies have declined by 43% since 1990. The loss has been particularly severe for wood white and Duke of Burgundy butterflies, amongst others. Most declining species are now restricted to actively managed woodlands and habitats such as rides, glades and clearings.

The RSPB stated the declines of most woodland species are linked to changes in the structure of woodlands, due to increased grazing pressure by deer, changes to management practices and woodland ageing.

Woodlands provide important natural habitats for a wide variety of native species, including numerous species of woodland birds, amphibians, bats, insects, squirrels, and many wildflower species, such as bluebells, wood anemones, and primroses. Woodlands can be a refuge for plants and animals, especially for woodland specialists such as willow tits and lesser spotted woodpeckers.

Samantha Stokes, RSPB South East spokesperson, said: “While the changes we have seen in woodlands are many and varied, their effects are often similar in that they change woodland structure, and it is often that change in structure that is bad for wildlife.”

Ms Stokes said: “Lack of woodland management and the corresponding loss of structural diversity have led to declines in many priority species, including the hazel dormouse, nightingale and heath fritillary butterfly.

“Woodlands and the species they support are conserved for a number of different reasons.

“Some conservation action is focused on priority species, while other projects are designed to benefit a wider range of wildlife through sympathetic management.”

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. It is the largest wildlife conservation organisation in Europe with more than one million members. Website: www.rspb.org.uk The State of Nature coalition includes many conservation groups as partners, including Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, the Association of British Fungus Groups, the Bat Conservation Trust and Buglife.