The chough is a charismatic corvid that has recolonised Cornwall and thrives in Wales, with welfare dependent on coastal grassland quality and traditional management.
Chough welfare depends on the availability of short, invertebrate-rich coastal grassland maintained by traditional grazing practices. Grassland that becomes too long or is converted to arable excludes choughs by burying the invertebrate prey they need to access. The close relationship between chough welfare and traditional pastoral farming in Wales highlights the role of agri-environment schemes in maintaining wildlife welfare through agricultural support. Nest welfare is also significant - choughs nesting in sea caves and coastal cliffs face disturbance from increasing recreational use of coastal areas, and nest protection measures including temporary access restrictions during breeding have been shown to substantially improve breeding success.