The cirl bunting is a conservation success story thanks to farmers and conservationists working together.
This once common bird, it used to breed in many counties in southern England as far north as Herefordshire and Bedfordshire, was also known as the village bunting because it is often found on the outskirts of villages.
The population declined in the second half of the 20th century and as few as 118 pairs remained in 1989 - restricted to south Devon where mixed farming suitable for cirl buntings survived.
Cirl buntings are like many other farmland birds - they need the 'Big 3' to thrive - safe nesting places, food to feed their nestlings and winter food for adults. For cirl buntings that means thick hedges for nesting, rough grassland with lots of insects such as grasshoppers in summer and stubble fields with weed seeds and spilled grain in winter. Give a cirl bunting that combination and he or she will be happy.
With the intensification of agriculture, mixed farming systems that deliver all three of the 'Big 3' for cirl buntings disappeared from many parts of the country but remained in south Devon because of the soils and topography and weather there.
RSPB researchers studied the cirl bunting for many years to work out their needs and then we persuaded the government to make special arrangements within agri-environment schemes for farmers in that part of the country to help cirl buntings. Many farmers were delighted to help - and they grew to love their cirl buntings - especially when they knew how special Devon was for this species and how much their own farm could be part of the conservation success story.
RSPB advisors have made friends with scores of Devon farmers, helped plan their conservation work and then helped the farmers get the government grants for cirl bunting friendly farming. And it has worked spectacularly well! Last year's survey of cirl buntings showed a population of 862 pairs - an eight-fold increase in 20 years, and a 25% increase since 2003.
This project just shows what farmers and conservationists, aided by sensible use of public money, can achieve working together. This is a species which cannot have been saved by nature reserves or legislation - it needs many individual farmers to be doing their bit. But the farmers mostly wouldn't know the details of this little brown bird's ecology without help from the RSPB and we also helped farmers to get the relevant grants.
Hi Mark what a fantastic success story and everyone involved doing their bit,really nice to see you giving farmers credit.Obviously the knowledge that the RSPB gives is needed but I think people would be surprised with the enthusiasm farmers put into this if they knew and the money is really a secondary factor to the feeling of contributing.Lets hope for lots more of these schemes and if only you could get the case over in East Anglia and get a similar response.
Hope it doesn't read as if I am surprised by you giving credit to farmers as you mostly come out with positive remarks on their behalf.
Mark, Excellent news and shows what working together can achieve. You don't mention the Cornwall population so I presume that this is a Devon increase and therefore is simply down to improved conservation work jointly with local farmers. Don't forget, if it is ever decided that the population needs a further helping hand by putting them back where they used to be, then Wiltshire was one of the last to lose them (and I have a copy of Eric Ennion's 'Some birds of Wiltshire' on my wall to prove it!) Bob
Blogs as good as ever; good story; good work, with a great result
Hi Mark Dave thinks it important that I let you know that I am in full approval of Sea Eagles in East Anglia so am quite happy to do so now all my doubts have been answered by yourself and loyal comrades,think you had probably guessed as much.Wish you well convincing farmers and landowners and in the protection of these fantastic birds.Don't really think my approval counts for much but if it even swings one or two more to welcome them then some good anyway,hopefully make you think all your hard work come good.
Bob - thanks! Is that Ennion the one with stone curlew, wheatear and hobby? Can't quite remember!
Bordercollie - many thanks
Sooty - thanks for both your comments here - much appreciated!
Mark - Yes. The original is on the wall at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (rather large painting) and I won a copy (lot smaller) in a Trust raffle. Nice picture.