Breeding on The Lizard 2006 Report

Parent chough and young - R B Hales

The pair of choughs on the Lizard continue in their mission to re-populate Cornwall. This year they have produced five chicks, as they did last year. This single pair of birds have now bred 23 chicks - a remarkable number of birds by any standards.

There was some concern at the the start of the breeding season, as the weather was particularly cold. It was noticed that during the incubation period the female bird was off the nest for longer periods than normal. This may have been due to the lack of food at the time, forcing the female to get out and collect her own - rather than relying on food brought in by the male.

However, the weather finally broke, and the birds produced their clutch as normal. The youngsters finally left the nest in early June. As always the nest was monitored day and night by volunteers.

Chough watcher - A J Hales

There was a worry in July, when a member of the public called Paradise Park with news of a sick chough near Predannack Head. We immediately got in contact with Stuart Croft, RSPB watch organiser, and along with Ray Hales, set off to investigate.

The bird was eventually found, and although it was not with its fellow siblings,it was looking in fine feather. It may have been spotted just having a mid-morning doze, giving the impression of something more sinister. The youngster gave a fine view as it finally flew off.

Chough on rocks - A J Hales

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