National Cirl Bunting (SCARABBS) survey in 2009
The Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus is a scarce and localised breeder in the UK, and is on the red list of the UK Birds of Conservtaion Concern. In 1995, the Cirl Bunting was included in the list of priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), and the RSPB and English Nature (now Natural England) launched a species recovery project.
- To produce an accurate and precise population estimate of Cirl Buntings in the UK and to describe the current distribution.
- To investigate the influence of agri-environment scheme measures (through CSS, ELS and HLS) and other habitats on the fine-scale breeding distributions of cirl buntings and a suite of priority farmland birds (kestrel, grey partridge, lapwing, turtle dove, woodlark, skylark, song thrush, grasshopper warbler, linnet, yellowhammer and reed bunting).
Key dates so far
- Survey work completed
- Draft survey paper accepted for publication in British Birds (in Dec 2010).
- Agri-environment analysis ongoing
Work planned or underway
AE analysis and report to be completed by end of 2010.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-241715 UK’s rarest farmland bird fights back
Who to contact
Senior Conservation Scientist
FundingJoint funding by RSPB and NE, through Action for Birds in England