Salcombe Ecology Network

The recovery of the Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) in South Devon is widely regarded as one of the most successful single-species conservation projects in UK history. Once on the absolute brink of extinction in the late 1980s with only 118 pairs remaining, the population has surged to an estimated 1,200+ pairs by 2026.

The Sid Valley Stronghold

Historically concentrated between Exeter and Plymouth, these birds have pushed firmly east into the Sid Valley over the last three years.

• Established Territory: As of 2025, the RSPB officially recognised the Sid Valley as an established breeding territory.

• Local Sightings: Multiple singing males, a definitive sign of established territories, have been recorded on the lower slopes of Salcombe Hill and along Milltown Lane.

The "Sidmouth Model" of Recovery

The success of the Cirl Bunting in this area is due to a "triple threat" of habitat management where all their needs are met within a 2km radius:

1. Winter Food: The Sid Vale Association (SVA) and The Donkey Sanctuary plant specialised over-wintered stubbles (like spring barley) to provide seeds during frosts.

2. Summer "Super food": Extensive cattle grazing at sites like Mutter's Moor encourages grasshoppers and crickets, which are essential for feeding chicks.

3. Nesting Sites: Traditional hedge-laying and "No-Fence" grazing provide the thick, thorny scrub (Gorse and Bramble) the birds require for protection.

The Donkey Sanctuary Effect: Managing roughly 1,200 acres, the Sanctuary has been a "game changer" by providing a constant reservoir of food and "scruffy" nesting hedges.

Species Success Indicators

Indicator Observation Significance

"Jangling Keys" Song High-pitched metallic rattle Sign of a male defending a breeding territory.

Winter Flocks Groups of 5–10 birds in stubble fields Sign of a healthy, surviving local population.

Breeding Productivity High survival of second and third broods Benefited from the mild, dry 2025 spring in East Devon.