The cirl bunting population at Labrador Bay has seen a significant recovery from fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the 1990s.
The reserve is managed using traditional low-intensity farming methods, including grazing and leaving stubble fields over winter.
The site features a specific habitat mosaic of hedgerows, scrub, and grassland designed to mimic the Mediterranean landscapes favored by cirl buntings.
Labrador Bay acts as an important 'stepping stone' habitat connecting isolated pockets of coastal biodiversity along the Devon coastline.
The reserve is entirely maintained through RSPB's work with local landowners who lease the land for conservation grazing.
RSPB Labrador Bay is a 125-hectare coastal reserve managed specifically to provide critical habitat for the cirl bunting, a rare songbird in the UK. The reserve consists of steep, south-facing coastal grasslands and scrub, providing panoramic views over the English Channel. It was the first site in the UK to be specifically managed for cirl bunting recovery through the 'Cirl Bunting Project'. The site utilizes traditional farming practices, such as winter stubble and hedgerow management, to support insect life and seed-bearing crops essential for the birds' survival. Visitors can navigate a network of permissive footpaths that wind through undulating terrain along the cliff edge. It is a key location for monitoring the population recovery of the cirl bunting, which was once restricted to only a small portion of South Devon. The area is part of a wider landscape-scale conservation effort involving local farmers and the RSPB.
The highest point of the coastal path offering a clear vantage point back toward the Teignmouth coastline.
Bring binoculars, as cirl buntings can be small and elusive in the hedge lines.
Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots, as the coastal paths can be muddy and steep.
Check the weather before visiting, as the site is fully exposed to coastal winds and lacks natural shelter.
Do not wander into tall, ungrazed grass areas to avoid disturbing ground-nesting species.
Keep dogs on a short lead to protect ground-nesting birds; stay on marked paths to avoid damaging delicate coastal vegetation.
