Conservation in Action: The Return of the Cirl Bunting

Theme:	ECOLOGY NETWORKS
Current Topic:	Nature Recovery Plan
Thread Title:	Conservation in Action: The Return of the Cirl Bunting
Thread Number:	6 of 7
Learning Focus:	Discover the incredible recovery of the Cirl Bunting in the Sid Valley. Learn how the "Sidmouth Model" of conservation is bringing this rare bird back from the brink of extinction.

Go to the index of all threads for this topic

1. Introduction: The Sound of Success

There was a time, not so long ago, when the coastal air of South Devon was falling silent. By the late 1980s, the distinctive, high-pitched metallic rattle of the Cirl Bunting ( Emberiza cirlus ), a sound often described as a bunch of "jangling keys", had almost vanished from the British landscape. Clinging to a few sun-drenched hedges, the species was a ghost of its former self, silenced by changing agricultural practices. Today, however, that rattle has returned with a vengeance. The Cirl Bunting’s resurgence has shattered conservation expectations, transforming a story of impending loss into what is arguably the most successful single-species recovery in UK history.

2. The Power of the Pivot: From 118 to 1,200

The recovery of the Cirl Bunting is a masterclass in targeted conservation. In less than four decades, the species has moved from the edge of the abyss to a position of strength, decisively meeting ambitious long-term targets set by the RSPB.

• 1989:  118 pairs (Status: Critically Endangered; restricted to South Devon)
• 2003:  ~700 pairs (The recovery takes hold)
• 2016:  1,079 pairs (Major milestone; 25-year target achieved)
• 2025/26:  ~1,200+ pairs (Estimated sustained growth and expansion)

It is exceptionally rare for a species to not only hit a 25-year recovery goal but to continue expanding its range so aggressively. This trajectory proves that when the right ecological levers are pulled, even the most fragile populations can stage a defiant comeback.

3. The Unexpected Hero: The Donkey Sanctuary Effect

The most surprising protagonist in this avian success story is not a bird at all, it is a donkey. In a remarkable twist of conservation serendipity, the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary has become the ultimate "reservoir" for the species. While the sanctuary was designed to provide a peaceful haven for equines, its management of roughly 1,200 acres has inadvertently mirrored the exact, complex needs of the Cirl Bunting.

"The Donkey Sanctuary's management of roughly 1,200 acres has been a 'game changer,'" notes the Salcombe Network priority species report.

By prioritising land for donkeys, the sanctuary created a mosaic of habitats that became the engine room for the bunting's eastward push. It is a powerful reminder that conservation success often thrives in the overlap between different species' needs.

4. The "Sidmouth Model": A Three-Part Survival Strategy

The "Sidmouth Model" has revealed the "spatial secret sauce" of bunting survival: the 2km rule. For these birds to flourish, three distinct habitat requirements must exist within a strict 2km radius, the maximum distance a Cirl Bunting typically travels.

• Winter Food:  To survive the frost, birds need high-energy seeds. The Sid Vale Association (SVA) and the Donkey Sanctuary ensure this by planting over-wintered stubbles, specifically spring barley, providing the essential tiny seeds required for winter survival.
• Summer Food:  Chicks require a protein-heavy "super food." Extensive cattle grazing on sites like Muttersmoor and the Golf Club roughs creates the perfect environment for grasshoppers and crickets, the primary fuel for growing chicks.
• Nesting Sites:  To evade predators, the birds need "scruffy," impenetrable cover. Traditional hedge-laying and "No-Fence" grazing on valley slopes encourage the growth of thick, thorny scrub like Gorse and Bramble.

5. Breaking Boundaries: The Great Eastward Expansion

Historically, the Cirl Bunting was a South Devon specialist, rarely venturing far from the coast between Exeter and Plymouth. However, the birds have recently staged a daring eastward expansion, leaping across the Exe Estuary and establishing a firm foothold in the Sid Valley.

By the 2025 breeding season, the RSPB officially recognised the Sid Valley as an established breeding territory. New strongholds have emerged on the lower slopes of Salcombe Hill and Milltown Lane, where multiple singing males now claim territory. This expansion was bolstered by the bird’s status as a resident species. Unlike migratory birds that struggled with global travel in 2025, the local Cirl Buntings took full advantage of a mild, dry spring in East Devon, leading to high productivity and successful second, and even third broods.

6. Conclusion: A New Era of Citizen Science

As we approach the 2028 National Census, the outlook for this small bird is brighter than ever. For residents and visitors in the Sid Valley, the signs of success are everywhere: from winter flocks of 10 birds foraging in stubble fields to that unmistakable "jangling keys" song echoing through the spring air.

The next chapter of this recovery belongs to the community. By utilising tools like iNaturalist, local residents are becoming citizen scientists, mapping the bird's expansion in real time. This shift raises a compelling question: if we can pull a species back from the very brink through local action and careful land management, what other "lost" sounds of our landscape could we bring back to life?

Now watch the video: