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| Lizard chough chick (3.5 weeks old) (photo: National Trust) |
Teams of RSPB and National Trust volunteers have been watching
chough nest sites across Cornwall again this spring. Despite a battering from
some very strong and cold easterly winds, the 'Chough Watch' volunteers have
put in many hours to make sure that disturbance around nest sites was kept to a
minimum, and it has paid off!
Earlier this year the Lizard choughs threw in an unexpected
surprise by settling into a new nest site, just east of their original nest at
Lizard Point, where they have raised five chicks this year (3 females and 2
males); terrific news for all involved. Tony Cross, BTO (British Trust of
Ornithology) bird ringer visited us last week to put colour rings on the chough
chicks, this helps us to identify the choughs as individuals throughout their
lives, which provides a wealth of scientific data. Tony's annual visit is
always awaited with much anticipation as it is the day we find out how many
chough chicks have been raised in the Duchy – there are at least 13 chicks with
one nest still unchecked – another good year for Cornish choughs!
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| Two Lizard chough chicks (3.5 weeks old) (photo: National Trust) |
Catherine Lee from National Trust on the Lizard says: 'It's a long time since the Lizard saw
5 chough chicks in one brood and it suggests that we are getting things
right. Since the new tenant farmers, Rona and Nevil Amiss, arrivedat Britain's
most southerly farm – Tregullas Farm, we've seen a marked improvement in the
condition of the local habitat. Habitat and food availability play a huge part
in the choughs' success, but there are other factors to consider such as
disturbance, predation and of course the weather. Raising chicks is far from
plain sailing but the fact that the choughs have managed to find enough food to
fill 5 hungry bellies, is proof that things were right for them this year'.
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| George, the infamous male chough on the Lizard and proud father of 5 this year (photo: NT\BarryBatchelor) |
There is a huge commitment from a fantastic team of people to
help Cornwall's iconic bird recolonise its former range. Over 100
volunteers help to protect chough nests from disturbance. The RSPB are
happy to report that new pairs have joined the Cornish breeding population this
year, Nicola Shanks from the RSPB says 'we've
had new sites and first time breeders keeping the Chough Watch team very busy
working out what is happening at each site. Thanks to the volunteers and all
the time they give we have great information and safe nest sites'.
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| Lizard Wildlife Watchpoint (photo: Shannon O'Grady) |
In addition to the nest protection, the RSPB, National Trust and
Natural England – forming the Cornwall Chough Project, work with local farmers
and land owners to ensure that the cliffs and coastal fields are managed in
such a way to improve the habitat for choughs and many other rare species across
Cornwall. Jeremy Clitherow, Lead Advisor from Natural England was thrilled with
the news 'the environmental
stewardship agreements we have with local farmers helps to complete the jigsaw
of habitat management across the Lizard and National Nature Reserve. The Lizard
is a hotspot for our chough related habitat work, so it's fantastic to see an
increase in chick numbers here this year'.
The youngsters are expected to leave their nests early next
month. As well as the choughs on the Lizard, there are a number of pairs soon
to fledge young along the coast between Sennen and Pendeen, so June is a great
time to take a leisurely stroll along the coast to see Cornwall's wild choughs.
If you are in the Lizard area do visit the Wildlife Watchpoint at Lizard Point
for the latest news and sightings. It's open every day from 10am - 4pm (April –
mid September).
If you'd like to keep up to date with chough news and learn more
about them or get involved in the Cornwall Chough Project please visit www.cornishchoughs.org or www.twitter.com/cornishchoughs
For more news on the wildlife watchpoint visit: www.lizardandpenrose.blogspot.co.uk
or www.facebook.com/LizardNT or www.twitter.com/LizardNT
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