Wildlife Welfare

Wild Cornish Chough Recovery Advanced

Cornish choughs became extinct in England in 1973 before returning naturally in 2001. The small Cornish population requires careful management to protect individual bird welfare and support population growth.

Key Facts

Cornish choughs returned to Cornwall in 2001 after a 28-year absence
The Cornish population has grown to around 20 breeding pairs through careful habitat management
Choughs require short coastal grassland with abundant soil invertebrates for probing
Cliff nesting sites require protection from disturbance and gull competition
The Welsh population of around 400 pairs provides a source population for dispersal

Welfare Considerations

Individual Cornish choughs face welfare risks from habitat change, gull disturbance at nest sites, and human disturbance during the breeding season. The small size of the Cornish population means each individual's welfare and breeding success is critical to population viability. Careful habitat management and disturbance reduction are essential welfare and conservation priorities.

What You Can Do

Support Cornwall Wildlife Trust chough conservation programmes
Avoid disturbing cliff nesting sites during the chough breeding season
Advocate for agri-environment funding that maintains short coastal grassland for choughs