Wildlife

Wild Cornish Chough Recovery Welfare

Choughs have expanded from a tiny Welsh population to recolonise Cornwall, with welfare implications from habitat management and human disturbance.

Key Facts

Choughs became extinct in Cornwall in 1947, returning naturally in 2001
UK chough population is around 500 pairs, mainly in Wales and western Scotland
Choughs require short-grazed grassland above cliff-top habitats for insect foraging
Disturbance at nesting sites on sea cliffs causes nest abandonment
Traditional cattle grazing maintains the short sward choughs need for foraging

Welfare Considerations

Chough welfare depends critically on short-grazed grassland above cliffs, maintained by appropriate livestock grazing. Nest disturbance on sea cliffs causes abandonment and chick mortality. The small UK population means each breeding pair's welfare is a conservation priority.

What You Can Do

Support National Trust and RSPB reserves maintaining chough habitat with traditional grazing
Avoid approaching sea cliff nesting sites during the chough breeding season
Donate to Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Welsh chough conservation projects