“The Case of the Vanishing Crow”

Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 26th April 2004

Frances Fyfield and Oggy

Crime writer Frances Fyfield undertook some ornithological detective-work, for this fascinating half-hour long program on Radio Four. She set out to discover why the chough disappeared from Cornwall and why, for the first time in 30 years, they are returning to their clifftop habitats.

With its distinctive red bill and legs, the chough is the heraldic bird of Cornwall. But Frances (see photograph), finds that “where once they clattered in their hundreds around its rugged, windblown coast, today just about the only place you'll catch a glimpse of the Cornish chough is on a pub sign”.

The program has interviews with many chough experts, and features choughs calling in the background.

Operation Chough has been given a few copies by the BBC, and these are available on loan. Please contact Ray Hales on 01736 753365 if you would like to hear the programme.

Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary, Hayle Cornwall TR27 4HB, UK
www.paradisepark.org.uk