Charity warns not to disclose Chough nests on social media

Cornwall Birds has reminded birders not to post the location of Chough nests on social media.

Speaking on BBC Radio Cornwall, the charity's Hilary Mitchell said: "It's really important that if people see what they think is a [breeding] pair near a nest site ... please tell us but don't put it out on social media. Egg collectors are still out there and our birds are still vulnerable to that.

"People might see Choughs flying down the cliff carrying a bit of heather twig or a bit of grass or wool later in March."

Chough enjoyed a record-breaking breeding season in Cornwall in 2023 (Chris Teague).

Back from the brink

Ms Mitchell added that the birds mate for life with the female laying "anything up to five eggs" within 24 hours of the mating process before incubating the eggs "while the male has to do all the feeding throughout about three weeks".

Chough became extinct in Cornwall during the mid-20th century due to loss of suitable habitat. 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.

Cornwall Birds said the population was now in excess of 200, with 112 chicks fledging in 2023. Birds have also begun to spread inland.