Wild Cirl Bunting Recovery and Welfare

Cirl buntings were reduced to 118 pairs in Devon by 1989 but have recovered to over 1,000 pairs through targeted conservation.

Key Facts

Cirl buntings are a farmland songbird restricted to south Devon and parts of Cornwall in the UK
Populations collapsed due to agricultural intensification eliminating rough grassland and weedy stubble
The RSPB recovery programme targeting specific farms with tailored habitat management reversed the decline
The species is now being reintroduced to Cornwall where it was locally extinct
Their diet includes invertebrates for chicks and grain and weed seeds for adults throughout the year
Habitat requirements including short turf for foraging, long grass for nesting, and stubble for winter are all essential

Welfare Considerations

Cirl bunting recovery demonstrates what is achievable through targeted, farm-specific conservation management. The welfare improvement for individual birds and the population has been dramatic. Sustained agri-environment funding and farmer engagement are essential to maintain and extend the recovery.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB South Devon cirl bunting recovery programme
Visit Devon in summer to seek out cirl buntings and support local conservation tourism
Advocate for agri-environment scheme options specifically targeting cirl bunting habitat
Donate to RSPB farmland bird conservation programmes
Learn about cirl bunting ecology and share the recovery story as a conservation success