Tintagel was once the greatest stronghold for Choughs, but now it is thought a pair may have bred lately near Bude. A record 161 young Choughs have fledged from nests along the Cornish coastline this summer, 32 more than the previous best of 129 set last year. They were raised by 56 successful pairs, giving an average of almost three fledglings per nest, which points to a robust population.
That was not always the case. Choughs died out in Cornwall in the 1970s, and their now familiar "chee-ow" call fell silent until 2001, when three birds, thought to be from Ireland, landed at Lizard Point. Two of them became the pioneering breeding pair from which today's success has grown.
Hilary Mitchell and Steve Ashby from Cornwall Birds (CBWPS) said: "It is hard to believe that the Cornish Chough population is now up to over around 400 birds, and with over 80 pairs on territory in 2026. Back in 1943 the situation was very different, and papers recently found by Steve Ashby at Trerice (owned by the National Trust) include notes by the famous Cornish birder Lt Col B H Ryves stating that 'Years ago the Tintagel area was its greatest stronghold but this is no longer so. There is, however, some evidence that a pair may have bred lately near Bude. In the main it can be asserted that its range is now limited to the coast between the Gannel and a few miles northward of Port Isaac.'"
Habitat loss was a key driver in the extinction of Choughs in Cornwall. Conservationists, farmers and land owners worked together to restore grazing on clifftops and coastal fields, producing the short-cropped turf that gives Choughs easier access to the insects and larvae that make up their diet.
The next chapter of the Cornish Chough story is in everyone's hands. Email sightings to [email protected]
Record 161 Chough Fledglings Boost Cornwall Population