As one of the UK’s rarest farmland birds, the Cirl bunting is quite choosy about where it lives. Major changes in agricultural practice has reduced suitable habitat for these special birds. By the end of the 1980’s they were restricted to the south Devon coast. So what have we been doing to help? The Cirl Bunting Project was set up 25 years ago in response to the bird’s major decline. And for the past 25 years a small dedicated group of species conservation specialists have been hard at work helping these amazing birds by providing advice to farmers and land owners as well as working with local communities and schools. Over the past 10 years alone the project has directly influenced management of over a whopping 10,000 hectares of land for the benefit of cirl buntings. A reintroduction programme in Cornwall is also helping cirls to return to previous strongholds.
So what does all this have to do with Labrador Bay? I was recently honoured by being invited to take part in one of this year’s Cirl Bunting surveys at Labrador Bay. I met with two volunteers who regularly tend to the site. The idea was to walk the site along planned routes to find all the singing males, denoting a territory. On our walk we used our eyes and ears to find the Cirls, so it was crucial to know their song and calls (find out for yourself what they sound like on the RSPB Cirl bunting page). Whilst on our walk we found old and new territories. All in all there are thought to be 21 pairs of cirls nesting at Labrador Bay this year. Now this may not sound like a lot, but when you consider there were only 4 pairs here when the site was acquire, an impressive five fold increase! Showing how well the birds respond to suitable habitat if provided. Luckily it doesn’t stop there, the 2009 survey recorded 862 pairs in Devon and Cornwall, which means there has been a 630% increase since the late 1980’s.
So what makes a good home for Cirl Buntings? A good safe hedgerow for nesting with a perch to sing from, plenty of grasshoppers to feed the chicks, with a hearty stock of small seeds for winter foraging.
Not seen a Cirl Bunting yet? Now’s the time. Head to Labrador bay and see how many you can find. Keep an eye out for their young too.
Join us for a guided walk round this spectacular cliff-top reserve. Look out for the rare Cirl bunting and their young families. There should be butterflies, bees and wild flowers to delight the senses. Meet in the council car park at 9.30 am on Saturday 26th July. The guided walk is free for RSPB members, £3 for non-members.