|  | The population of the cirl bunting, a sparrow-sized farmland bird, has swelled to almost 700 pairs in South Devon, bucking the overall downward trend for most farmland birds. The turnaround is due to a partnership between conservationists, farmers and government bodies, including English Nature and Defra. The species is a relative of the more familiar yellowhammer and is now confined to Devon, but in the past the species was found more widely across southern Britain. Lost features Following decades of decline, the bird's numbers fell to just 118 pairs in 1989. This spurred the RSPB to take action to save the bird from extinction in Britain.  | | Following decades of decline the cirl bunting was in danger of extinction. |
The joint RSPB and English Nature-funded Cirl Bunting Project was launched to help farmers protect the threatened birds on their land. Landowners have been encouraged to take part by being offered land management advice and help applying for Countryside Stewardship funding.
Rich source
RSPB research proves the cirl bunting needs a supply of large insects, especially grasshoppers, in summer to feed to its chicks, while in winter the bird needs rich sources of seeds.
Traditionally, large insects would have been plentiful in hay fields and pastures. However changes in farming methods mean that most grasslands now support far fewer insects.
Many farmers have also changed the way they grow crops. As a result, the once a rich winter source of seeds, has largely disappeared, taking the cirl bunting with them in many areas.
 | | Ben Bradshaw, Minister for Nature Conservation, and Cath Jeffs, RSPB cirl bunting project officer. |
Other seed-eating birds, including the tree sparrow, corn bunting and yellowhammer have been affected too. "The cirl bunting is one of our most attractive birds, but it's also one of our fussiest," said Cath Jeffs, the RSPB's Exeter-based Cirl Bunting Project officer. "To thrive, it needs a supply of large insects in summer and a rich source of seeds over winter. "Sadly, changes in how land is managed, especially the loss of the traditional spring sowing of cereal crops, means that neither of the bunting's needs were being met and the bird was suffering terribly. "Countryside stewardship provided the funding for farmers to restore lost features, including weedy winter stubbles, to the landscapes of south Devon and save the bird." First published: 11th November 2003
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