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Chough: Cliff Ecology Welfare Science
Overview: Welfare science for choughs, iconic red-billed crows of Welsh, Irish, and Scottish clifftops.
Key Welfare Facts
- Choughs are stronghold breeders on cliff coastlines in Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the Isles of Scilly.
- Their welfare depends on short-grazed maritime grassland providing access to their specialised ant and beetle larvae diet.
- Appropriate livestock grazing management at cliff grasslands is the most critical welfare management tool.
- Nest cave sites on cliff faces provide protection from predators but are vulnerable to human disturbance.
- Recovery from very low numbers in Wales and Ireland demonstrates successful conservation when habitat is managed.
- Climate change is causing coastal habitat change that may affect chough food availability in coming decades.
Welfare Assessment
Chough welfare depends on maintaining short-grazed cliff grassland through appropriate livestock grazing. Supporting farm management at key chough sites and engaging with agri-environment schemes maintaining suitable grazing regimes is the most direct welfare action available.
What You Can Do
- Support agri-environment schemes maintaining appropriate grazing management at chough sites
- Respect access restrictions near chough nest sites during the breeding season
- Donate to conservation organisations monitoring and managing chough populations in Wales and Ireland
- Record chough sightings for national monitoring schemes to track population recovery