Choughs flourishing inland as Cornish pastures recover

A protected bird known for sticking to the Cornish coastline has started to move inland in what wildlife experts say is a sign of its "flourishing" recovery.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust said Cornish choughs had been sighted "daily" on its Penwith nature reserves.

It credited the sightings to "pasture restoration and conservation grazing".

"Choughs are beginning to flourish in Cornwall once more," the trust added.

Choughs became completely extinct in Cornwall during the mid-20th century.

As a result of a breeding pair arriving in the Lizard in 2001, the first wild choughs to hatch in more than 50 years in Cornwall did so the following year.

Chough numbers have been increasing along Cornwall's coastline as suitable habitats are restored, particularly through carefully managed grazing.

Cornwall Birds (CBWPS) said the chough population is now in excess of 200, with 112 chicks fledging last year.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust's west Cornwall reserves manager Nick Marriott said the development was "exciting".

He said: "For choughs to be coming inland to our reserves is a first - and really exciting, as it shows how well they are doing. Their presence reflects the richness of our nature reserves for wildlife.

"The public are welcome to visit Bostraze and Bartinney all year round. They are not only new feeding grounds for choughs, but also sanctuaries for ground-nesting birds such as skylark and meadow pipit, alongside reptiles including adders.

"Therefore we ask that dogs are kept on leads to minimise disturbance."

Ongoing sensitive land management of farmland and protected areas should ensure that the people of Cornwall can enjoy increasing sightings of Cornish choughs into the future.

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