Print
The comeback
Early in the spring of 2001, there was a small influx of wild choughs along the south coast of England, from Portland in Dorset to the Isles of Scilly; a group of three took up residence on the Lizard. The origin of these wild birds has been the subject of much debate, but the most probable explanation is that they were young birds from Brittany.
In 2002, two of the birds raised young, the first in Cornwall in more than 50 years. Since then, this pair have nested successfully each year - raising 36 youngsters, many of which are now to be found on the Lizard or Land's End peninsulas.
A milestone was reached in 2006 when a second pair (a male offspring of the Lizard pair, and an incoming wild female) successfully bred raising three young.
In 2008, another pair successfully raised young in West Penwith, the first time here in 150 years. Since 2002, 56 chicks have fledged from Cornish nests.
2010 saw six pairs attempting to breed. Three of these pairs successfully fledged nine young between them, whilst the other pairs, very young birds, did their best but failed.
Not all young choughs can be expected to survive, as the mortality rate can be quite high for choughs. Despite this, these Cornish pioneers are faring as well as their cousins in Wales or Brittany.
Behind the scenes, work is continuing to encourage farmers to manage suitable habitat around the coast for choughs. Grazing is essential to maintain the short open grass in which choughs probe to find their invertebrate food. Grazing also enables a host of small flowering plants to thrive, keeps scrub from invading the open coastal grassland and heathland areas and is good for many other species too.
Various suitable breeds of animal graze the coastal cliffs including Shetland ponies, Highland cattle and Soay sheep. Thanks must go to all those farmers and landowners who support the project by managing their land for choughs.
Last modified: 03 August 2009