Operation Chough Update 2002 -Press Release

Joy for one and all over Cornish Chough chicks

Staff at Paradise Park are delighted that wild choughs have bred in Cornwall for the first time in fifty years. The small resident group of choughs have been heard making their unique calls over Cornish cliffs since they arrived in spring 2001 - where they had come from no one quite knows, probably from the population in Wales or possibly Ireland.

Alison Hales, (Paradise Park Director) said ‘It is so good that hear of the wild choughs breeding in Cornwall. Every small victory for conservationists is a reminder that, with support, rare species can overcome problems of the past and thrive in the future.’Cornwall ready for ChoughsSince the three-year research project by Dr Richard Meyer in 1991, which was funded by Operation Chough at Paradise Park wildlife sanctuary in Hayle, staff at the Park have believed that some areas of habitat were ready to sustain choughs once again. The research on previous haunts of the chough in Cornwall, and on the feeding habits of the birds in Wales was convincing – if choughs returned they would find a good home. The birds obviously agreed, finding food and shelter to suit them through the summer. Fingers were crossed that they would continue to do so in the harder winter months and stay in Cornwall for the important spring breeding season.As well as legislation to protect wild species from persecution and the banning of toxic pesticides, this success is due to continued work on the coastal habitat, where conservation bodies like the National Trust, English Nature, RSPB and land owners have co-operated. A key feature for chough success is direct access to the ground to probe for insects, scrub growth over many years had limited the areas where the birds could forage.

Re-establishment with captive birds

A trial release of captive birds from Paradise Park was planned for May 2001, but this was postponed when footpaths were closed due to Foot & Mouth Disease (access was needed to monitor the birds). Remarkably, the wild choughs arrived in a different area of Cornwall at about the same time. Meanwhile, the release programme has been put on hold with priority being given to veterinary research, nest box designs and captive breeding. At present four pairs of choughs are nesting at Paradise Park.

The RSPB is currently exploring captive breeding and re-introduction of the chough with a meeting being organised by David Woolcock, Paradise Park’s Curator, this autumn to discuss issues surrounding release programmes and translocation.

21st May 2002

Further information: Alison Hales, Paradise Park, Hayle, Cornwall.

email: ali@paradisepark.org.uk

Phone: 01736 753365 

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