Wildlife

Wild Cornish Chough Cliff Welfare

The chough is a charismatic red-billed crow that disappeared from England before recovery in Cornwall, with grazing-maintained short turf essential for finding invertebrate prey.

Key Facts

Choughs re-established breeding in Cornwall in 2001 after decades of absence
They feed on invertebrates in short turf maintained by grazing livestock
Agricultural decline and loss of cliff-top grazing reduced chough prey habitat
Close collaboration between farmers, RSPB, and Natural England supports habitat management
Chough population has grown to around 20 birds in Cornwall with slow continuing recovery

Welfare Considerations

Chough welfare depends on appropriate grazing management maintaining short turf for invertebrate prey. Farmer-conservationist partnerships are essential to maintain this habitat.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment agreements maintaining cliff-top grazing for choughs
Report chough sightings to monitoring schemes in Cornwall and Wales
Donate to recovery programmes supporting farmer-conservation partnerships
Visit chough breeding sites respectfully without disturbing feeding birds