Chough report: March 2013

Report by Liz Corry

Captive choughs at Durrell

Chough in a blizzard. Photo by Liz CorryThe breeding pairs were caught up out of the display aviary at the start of the month and moved down to their breeding aviaries. It took three days to get them all. By the second day they were all wary of the catch-up cage and it took Tristan three days before he summoned up the courage and/or his hunger got the better of him.

Nesting material was added to the breeding aviaries almost straight away, but the record-breaking snow blizzard deterred the birds from doing anything. As soon as this past and the weather ‘improved’ they began taking the material into the boxes.

The choughs in the display aviary braved the elements at the start of the blizzard. By the end of the first day the snow had settled on the netting and transformed the aviary into an igloo. They were probably warmer than their keepers.

Thanks to the generosity of Paradise Park we have been given two brand new Sony 700 line nest cameras. With weather disrupting breeding behaviour we took the opportunity to install one of the new cameras. The existing camera in SF3, whilst showing a clear picture, was not suitable in design, size, and position and was removed.

Gianna looks out into the snow. Photo by Liz CorryGianna has started to be a bit more forthcoming towards keepers now she has settled in to the main display aviary. She has started conditional behaviour training and is learning to fly on command. Once this is mastered she will begin learning to weigh herself on scales and enter/exit carrying crates without being handled. Hopefully the other choughs in the aviary will follow suit in the near future

Arrival of Paradise Park’s 2012 juveniles

Three juvenile choughs, hatched in 2012, and the trained adult male, George, were scheduled to arrive by plane in Jersey on the 12th March. Lee Durrell had kindly loaned her Navajo plane for the collection of the choughs from Paradise Park. Colin Stevenson was going to be the pilot.

However, with the unprecedented snow blizzards this plan was thrown into mild chaos. By hook or by crook the birds had to arrive by the end of that week. If not, the next import date would be in mid-April. Having been ‘snowed in’ for two days at the Wildlife Park, keepers were far from optimistic that the birds would arrive.

A decision was needed by the 13th in order for the airport authorities to sign off on the paperwork for a flight on the 14th. Despite the 9ft snow drifts that lined the roads the route to the Sorel aviary was still accessible. The next task was making sure that Lee’s plane could get onto the runway on the 14th, let alone be able to fly. Colin, the pilot, reported that:

Preparing for take-off. Photo by Colin Stevenson“Steve Driscoll, the Ports of Jersey Group Operations Director and André Rabet, the Airport Engineering Director made a significant intervention by diverting their very stretched crews to clear our taxiway.

The Airport snow clearing team themselves, once detached from their normal duties, cheerfully made short work of clearing the snow from our taxiway and had us operational by Wednesday night…..Eric, the digger driver, worked at the hangar for four and a half hours, until half past seven in the evening – after starting to clear snow at the airport at 5am that morning.”

After, what we were told were near perfect flying conditions, Colin, co-pilot Gregory Guida and the choughs touched down in the early afternoon. The choughs were accompanied by David Woolcock, Curator at Paradise Park, who had kindly volunteered his time to stay at Durrell for two days to help settle the birds in and discuss training protocols.

Choughs receive veterinary inspection. Photo by Liz CorryOnce the birds arrived at Durrell they were swiftly whisked away to the Vet Centre under quarantine conditions. There the birds had a general health check, blood samples taken, ID rings attached, and radio transmitters attached where appropriate.

On inspection of two of the juveniles it was noted that some of their tail feathers had ‘fret lines’. The central tail feather, Choughs receive veterinary inspection. Photo by Liz Corrywhere the radio transmitter is attached, had broken off quite close to the base. It meant it was not possible to attach radio transmitters to these two birds. After careful consideration of the options it was decided that these two would not be used in the trial release. Their feathers will be allowed to moult through naturally at the end of the breeding season and we would consider them for a second release if planned.

Damaged tail feather. Photo by Liz CorryThe two birds involved were still given Jersey addressed metal ID rings in case they accidentally escape over the next few months. It will not make them easier to find but if recovered it will make it easier to identify where they came from. The only one who has not been given a Jersey ring is George due to his leg deformity. All the choughs at Durrell and now at Sorel have transponders implanted under their skin as another means of identification if recovered. These tiny ‘microchips’ were fitted by Paradise Park staff prior to the birds departure for Jersey.

After what must have seemed like a lifetime for the birds they finally got to leave the Durrell Vet Centre and be transported by car to the release aviary at Sorel. Andrew Terry volunteered his time and more importantly his 4WD to transport the birds. Unfortunately the last 100m of track leading up to the field site had not been cleared and the driver faced a 6ft wall of snow. The last leg of the journey had to be done on foot from Sorel car park, but finally with the sun setting the choughs made it to the aviary. They were released into the back half of the enclosure (Sorel1A) where they will stay until the Durrell group get moved up and then mixed together. For the next thirty days quarantine restrictions will apply and only designated staff can access the aviary.

Choughs at Sorel

Chough aviary at dawn. Photo by Liz CorryThe first quarantine faecal sample was submitted to the lab on the 18th. For the choughs (and their keepers) to be ‘released’ from their quarantine period a minimum of three pooled faecal samples need to be taken on a weekly basis. Analysis of these samples will determine whether more are needed and/or if treatment is required.

The first faecal sample showed positive for nematodes and Chough in Sorel aviary. Photo by Liz Corrycoccidians, albeit at low levels. It was decided to not move the Durrell choughs until a second faecal sample could be analysed and a decision made about treatment. The second faecal showed low levels of coccidians and nematodes, but since this would be typical for wild birds as well it was not deemed significant. However, as a standard of good practice we will treat George’s group with a single injection of Ivermectin (anti-parasitic drug) prior to release.

A Bushnell trail camera was installed in the aviary when the choughs moved in. This will act as a security camera as well as documenting the birds’ behaviour when keepers are not present. It has proven very useful so far and we have been able to see how the birds react when dogs, people, and heavy machinery are around. It has shown that like most other corvids, choughs can be active from 05.00 onwards.

The camera has also recorded a surprising, and unprovoked, attack on George by the other male in the group. This might be expected since George has been kept separate from the group over the last 5-6 weeks. From the keeper’s point of view, whenever they enter the aviary, the juveniles hide or are too busy eating to show any animosity towards George. Most squabbles seem to be between the juvenile male and the female without the radio transmitter so it was interesting to be able to remotely observe this behaviour.

Pre-release training

George, having been trained prior to arriving in Jersey, will be the role model for the other choughs when they start their conditional behaviour training. However, it is not a role he can easily jump into. First he needs to adjust to his new surroundings, the new weather conditions (gale force winds are not a common occurrence in Hayle) and, even more challenging, adjust to his new keepers.

Whilst George settled in very quickly (eating straight away) it took him a few days to be confident enough to perch close to the keepers. He will now fly to the keeper when called and can jump onto the scales to be weighed. This last task is quite a challenge in his new surroundings. For a start, on certain days he has to battle against the wind. The scales are a slightly different design to what he is used to which will make him insecure. We have ordered the same scales as Paradise Park, but they have to be delivered from the manufacturer in Germany.

For the keeper to reach the shelving and be at a comfortable height with George a ladder is required. At first George was scared of the long ladder, so they were swapped for a small pair of steps. Gradually he warmed to the ladder, mainly due to the keeper using it a lot to carry out DIY work inside the aviary.

George hoping for a treat. Photo by Liz CorryThe biggest challenge was in keeper and bird trying to understand each other. George knows the command for “please jump on the scale” and he knows that he will be rewarded with insects. The keeper knows the correct command and the correct reward. But when the bird doesn’t want to jump up in the wind onto a strange object it is very hard for it to convey this. It is a lot easier to hop along to the keeper, look doe-eyed (trust me they can do this) and ‘guilt’ the keeper into giving them insects!

 

Birds On The Edge gets a soundtrack from Badlabecques

Badlabecques on the north coast. Photo by BadlabecquesFrom Badlabecques

Jersey musicians of repute Badlabecques have recorded a song with students from Le Rocquier School, to celebrate the new chough release aviary at Le Don Paton, near Sorel Point, on Jersey’s north coast.

The song itself is based on a 1934 Jèrriais poem by Frank Le Maistre, which was set to music by Norman French band Magène and adapted by Badlabecques with the help of local poet Geraint Jennings. Titled “Ma Bouaîs’sie” (My Wood) it evokes walking through Egypt Woods in Trinity and hearing all the birds singing together.

Lyrics

J’connais l’bouvtheu et la rouoge-gorge,
Et touos les mêles mé sûffl’yent beinv’nue,
La grive, lé vèrdreu et l’mouosson.
Et l’rossîngno (tch’est un pînchon).

I’y’a étout lé rouoge linnot,
Lé pique-en-bouais et l’vèrmîngnon,
Lé p’tit raîté – eune vraie dgilouette –
Et la mîngnonne dé cardrinnette.

Dans ma bouaîs’sie j’sis bein èrchu,
Ch’est si pliaîthant d’ouï la musique –
Tout l’ouaîthelîn chante à forte vouaix
A londgeu d’jours parmi les bouais.

J’voudrêmes èrvaie la bouonne caûvette;
J’voudrêmes èrouï étout l’alouette,
Auve sa couôthinne, l’alouette dé mielle,
Par nos falaises rotcheuses et belles.

Pis y’a la d’mouaîselle du Ouaisné,
Lé poffîn épis l’cormouothan;
Y’a l’êteurcélet des mathais,
La rouoge-coue et lé p’tit jaûnouais.

Dans ma bouaîs’sie j’sis bein èrchu,
Ch’est si pliaîthant d’ouï la musique –
Tout l’ouaîthelîn chante à forte vouaix
A londgeu d’jours parmi les bouais.

Le Rocquier students in the studio. Photo by Badlabecques Birds On The Edge wanted the song to be an educational project, as well as a piece of community art so they are pleased that Le Rocquier School students are involved.

Rick Jones, Durrell Communications Officer says:
“We are delighted that as well as cultural history, Badlabecques are promoting a love of natural history, and taking it to the younger generation. Jersey’s heritage is interwoven with its landscapes, and Birds On The Edge will restore and protect natural areas of the Island’s beautiful coastal regions for posterity. What better way to celebrate this, than to give it an authentic soundtrack!”

Phillip Slater, Head Teacher at Le Rocquier School says:
“Recently at Le Rocquier we have been focusing on the importance of Jersey’s native language, Jèrriais, as well as our natural history. Above the entrance to our hall we have placed our school motto “Our School, Our Education, Our Future” in Jèrriais. We are also developing Jèrriais extracurricular classes and we have also been looking to encourage the speaking, and indeed singing, of Jèrriais in as many ways as possible.”

Kit Ashton, founder and lead singer of Badlabecques is also proud of the song:
“This is exactly what Badlabecques is all about as a band – celebrating our beautiful island, our heritage, and our community through music that is hopefully both entertaining and meaningful. I love it!”

Song details

Released 4th April 2013
Recorded and mixed at Le Rocquier School, Jersey, featuring students from Year 8.

Download of the song Ma Bouaîs’sie in your choice of high-quality MP3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire here.

First red-billed choughs move to the release aviary

A chough settles in at the release aviary. March 2013. Photo by Liz CorryBIRDS ON THE EDGE is delighted to announce that the first red-billed choughs have been introduced to the temporary aviary at Le Don Paton, near Sorel Point, on Jersey’s north coast. The four birds currently residing in the aviary arrived from Paradise Park, Cornwall, by air (although not under their own power) on Thursday, 14th of March. They were initially taken to Durrell Wildlife Park for medical checks and fitting of transmitters and identifying leg rings. The choughs were accompanied by David Woolcock from Paradise Park who helped settle the birds in.

One of the choughs, George, will not be released, due to a permanently injured leg. George has been introduced in order to help habituate the new arrivals by example, due to his familiarity with people and routines. Choughs are intelligent birds, and it is hoped they will mimic George’s ‘trained’ responses, once they see him obtaining food in return for desired behaviours. George’s training has been modified to accommodate his physical limitations and can be seen on video here with his former keeper, Sarah Jayne Gribben from Paradise Park who got him to the level he is at now.

The release aviary. March 2013. Photo by Liz CorryThe birds were introduced to their temporary accommodation later on Thursday, and are settling in well, despite the wintery conditions in the Island differing slightly from those in Cornwall, which unlike Jersey, saw no snowfall. They are currently held under in-situ quarantine conditions, in accordance with States of Jersey regulations. A further three choughs from Durrell Wildlife Park will be moved to Le Don Paton in around a week. These slightly older birds also came from Paradise Park initially, and have been on display to the public at Durrell for around twelve months.

The project partners, Durrell, National Trust for Jersey and the States of Jersey Department of the Environment, would very much appreciate your cooperation in urging the public not to approach the aviary, or disturb the birds in any way whilst they are acclimatising. The aviary can be seen from public footpaths and National Trust land. Choughs are sensitive birds, susceptible to stress. The current residents are shy and as yet, not orientated with their surroundings. The success and timing of the project is dependent on happy, healthy birds being released in the best possible condition. We would greatly appreciate your understanding on this matter.

BIRDS ON THE EDGE is very grateful to Paradise Park for their continued help with this project and to Waddington Architects for designing the aviary and helping it through the planning process. We remain grateful too to everyone who attended the Sunset Concerts in 2012 and generously provided the funds needed to pay for the aviary. Colin Stevenson, Gregory Guida and the trusty Navajo flew the birds in from Cornwall and even had to clear snow from outside the hangar in Jersey in order to fly out!

Chough report: February 2013

Report from Liz Corry

Captive choughs at Durrell

A chough receives its radio transmitter. Photo by Liz CorryWith the breeding season looming, staff at Durrell have been working hard this month to set up the breeding aviaries and move the birds around accordingly. Gianna was moved out of her off-show holding into the main display aviary. She was kept in the shut-off for two days as a way of re-introducing her to the group. She received a very uneventful welcome: Gwinny was the only one to fly down to her and that was only because she was looking for food.

Preparing the tail feathers for transmitter attachment. Photo by Liz CorryOn the 19th the three juveniles in SF3 were caught up and moved to the display aviary. These three birds will make up half of the release cohort. Before being released into the main flight all three birds were fitted with active radio-transmitters and an incoloy leg ring. The battery life on the radio transmitters is such that it should not run out before the birds moult tail feathers in autumn.

When the three juveniles were released into the main flight the other juveniles paid them a lot of attention. There was a lot of squabbling and defending of roost sites but no real aggression observed. The breeding pairs have stayed together throughout this which is looking positive for the new breeding season.

Tail mounted transmitter. Photo by Liz CorryOnce the juveniles had been moved out of the off show aviaries work could begin to prepare them for the breeding season. Apart from the obvious spring clean a few modifications were needed to improve our chances of a successful breeding season. Plywood has been added to a part of SF3 aviary to ensure a complete visual barrier between the choughs and any disturbance at the back of the aviary. The Orang-utan House kitchen and maintenance area is located behind the aviaries as well as other breeding bird enclosures. Daily disturbance should now be limited.

The nest box in SF2 has been relocated to the other side of the aviary to increase the distance between the two nests. We are not sure how much this influenced last year’s breeding, but the two pairs were very aware of each other and were almost synchronous in nesting behaviour, for example they kicked eggs out of the nest on the same days.

Another major difference compared to last season is in how we house the nest box cameras and what type of camera is used. We have tried to ensure the birds cannot tamper with the position of the lens. We are using different cameras and will not really know how effective they are until the birds are in the enclosure. No pun intended, but we will monitor closely!

Progress of the release aviary

Progress at the release aviary, late February. Photo by Liz CorryThe release aviary is now nearing completion. The major building tasks have been completed and the focus now is on making sure that the release hatches operate smoothly and all the necessary interior fixtures and fittings are in place. Work will begin on signage for the site when the choughs move into the aviary.

There were several visitors to the aviary in February including Mike Stentiford, Professor Carl Jones, Dr Richard Young and Paul Buckley. Each guest was shown around the aviary and went away suitably impressed.Visitors to the aviary, February 2013. Photo by Liz Corry

Other news

On the 10th, Sally Dalman from the National Trust for Jersey volunteered her time to shadow Liz for half a day in the Bird department. Unfortunately she picked a day where it persistently tipped it down with rain. However, it was still beneficial and both parties gained a greater understanding of what each other’s jobs involve.Progress at the release aviary, late February. Photo by Liz Corry

On the 23rd a group of Durrell’s volunteer guides were shown around the chough enclosures and updated on the progress of the release project and BOTE. They will hopefully be able to incorporate this information into their talks at the Wildlife Park and answer any questions posed by the public.

Biannual faecal samples were required from all the birds at Durrell this month; awaiting final results for choughs.

 

 

4th International Workshop on the Conservation of the Red-billed Chough

4th International Chough Workshop. Photo by www.diogocarvalho.ptFrom Projecto Bico-vermelho (Pyrrhocorax Project)

Red-billed choughs in Barroso, Northern Portugal. Photo by Diogo Carvalho www.diogocarvalho.ptSince the first International chough workshop (Choughs and Land Use in Europe) in 1988 there have been regular meetings to discuss all aspects related to the biology, ecology and conservation of the red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). The species is a valuable indicator of sustainable agricultural systems and the connection to traditional farming methods. The red-billed chough is a species with an unfavourable conservation status on a global level, being listed as endangered in several countries including Portugal. In this context, after the 2007 and 2010 International Chough Workshops (in Glasgow and La Palma, respectively), Vila Real (North Portugal) is playing host to the 4th International Chough workshop on 10-12 October 2013. Two days of workshop will be followed by a day’s excursion.

As underlined in previous meetings, there is still a priority for chough research to understand the influence of the land-use/land-cover trends on the species’ distribution, taking into account on-going landscape changes, genetic diversity, fragmentation and isolation of peripheral populations. At these meetings all specialists agreed to further advance knowledge on the chough populations outside Europe, such as those in Asia and Africa, due to their particular threats and conservation requirements.

Although a considerable amount of information has been compiled and discussed at previous workshops about the chough ecology, all colleagues that are interested in choughs are invited to participate and share their expertise in the 4th International Workshop on the Conservation of the Chough.

The Workshop will be held at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) in Vila Real, northern Portugal. Everyone interested in attending should  complete the automated registration form to confirm your participation. The submission deadline for contributions is 31 May, 2013. The organisers look forward to hearing from you.

Read more and register here

Choughs on Sept Îles – February 2013

Choughs on 7 îles 2013. Photo copyright IGN  Choughs on Ile aux Moines 2013. Photo copyright IGN Our Sept Îles correspondent Regis Perdriat from the LPO Station at Île Grande in Brittany reports that the choughs are still out on the islands. The last 3-4  surveys, have seen the choughs feeding on the same islet (the circle on the photos). The red spots show some of the places where the three birds were found before now. The choughs were even observed to chase away a raven that came around to Choughs on Bono 2013. Photo copyright IGN  have a look.

The single, unringed, chough that visited Lundy Island in the UK’s Bristol Channel is still present on that island too. Read updates here

 

Chough report: January 2013

Report from Liz Corry

Captive choughs at Durrell

Gianna. Photo by Fiona MarchantGianna continued visiting the vets at the start of the year to have her bandage changed until the 9th when it was removed. Another x-ray showed improvement, but she was put on a five-day course of anti-inflammatory pain killers as a precaution. It took her some time to get used to not having the ball bandage on and to realise she could use her foot again.

Gianna was caught up and moved to an off-show enclosure (X1B) on the 11th so we could provide her with more flight space whilst her condition improved. She weighed 275g on moving her.

Juvenile and breeding pairs in display aviary January 2013. Photo by Liz CorryOn the 26th we moved the three juveniles not marked for release up to the display aviary. They were kept in the shut-off area for two days before being released to allow them to acclimatise to the new surroundings and for the breeding pairs to get used to them. Typically, upon release, Tristan and Issy were the first ones to swoop down and check out the new arrivals. Arthur and Gwinny showed some interest, but on the whole left them alone.

B6977 with incoloy rings. Photo by Liz CorryThe three juveniles are the birds we have been testing with dummy radio tags and incoloy gull rings. We fitted B6976 ♂ with an incoloy ring using a new pair of ringing pliers specially adapted for the job. Thanks go to our Maintenance Department volunteer for his impressive metal work skills. There seems to be no further damage to the dummy tags or birds and no abrasions etc from the ring. All positive signs for the release birds.

Chough box with camera. Photo by Liz CorryWork began on fitting nest-box cameras at the end of the month. We will be using a different type of camera this year with a much better resolution. The camera is a different size and style so the existing nest-boxes have had to be modified. This year we have worked on making them tamper proof so the parents can’t move the lens off the nest. However, these cameras have a lot more infra-red lights on them (improving dusk/dawn image quality) which Chough box with camera. Photo by Liz Corrycould create a distraction or the birds could ignore them completely. Either way we will be watching closely to see how the birds behave in the box. If we think the new cameras are not working out we will have to modify.

Progress of the release aviary

Work on the release aviary started again after the winter festivities. Aaron kindly loaned us his lockable trailer once again so materials could be stored on site. The shed end is looking more like a shed and the netting is finally on the polytunnel.

Progress on release aviary. January 2013. Photo by Liz CorryHowever, yet again Trevor and his team had to battle the elements and the day snow came to Jersey was the day they finally had to down tools. One ongoing issue is the strong winds which puts a stop to any work involving a ladder. The other growing worry was that the snow and non-stop rain have completely saturated the fields and the truck was starting to churn up the ground beyond repair.

Once these issues can be resolved work will continue, but it now means that the completion date will be nearer the end of February. On the plus side it has freed up Trevor to come back to the Wildlife Park and fit the new nest box cameras.

 

Chough report: December 2012

Report from Liz Corry

Captive choughs at Durrell

Gianna's foot strapped up. Photo by Liz CorryGianna was caught up for x-rays on the 18thafter a long course of anti-inflammatory drugs (Metacam) had made little improvement on her condition. The x-ray showed a fracture in one of her digits on the left foot that had tried to heal unsuccessfully. This explained the large amount of swelling that had developed around the digit. The vets applied a bandage to the foot designed to provide pressure relief on the joint and encourage her to use the foot. To prevent the muscles and tendons becoming locked up in one position the bandage will be changed weekly and alternate between having the foot in a flat position and a gripping position. Gianna was put back on a course of Metacam given in waxmoth larvae and kept in the shut off cage until treatment has finished.

Progress of the release aviaryRelease aviary progress 12th December 2012. Photo by Liz Corry

As expected with any project there have been the inevitable delays. Gale-force winds and rain stopped play on couple of days, but Trevor and his team have continued to battle away. The polytunnel hoops are in place as are the framework for the shed. Various holidays this month meant that work stopped on the 15th and will resume Release aviary progress 16th December 2012. Photo by Liz Corryin the first week of January. Durrell’s Bird Department staff visited the site on the 4th to see the build and offer moral support to Trevor and Jason in the form of gingerbread. I think it did the trick, except now they are placing orders!

 

Northern Ireland’s choughs: is hard work paying off?

From RSPB

Chough in Cornwall. Photo by Bob Sharples www.bobsharplesphotography.co.uk2013 is shaping up to be a special year for Northern Ireland’s only breeding pair of chough. The pair spent this Christmas at home, a first for the country’s rarest breeding bird.

In 2012, for the first time, the chough bred on the RSPB’s Rathlin Nature Reserve where the RSPB are managing a large area of land for chough and where the birds can be seen feeding throughout the year. In previous years the birds have left the Island around late October and disappeared from the north coast until February when they return to prepare for a new breeding season.

Chough outside of Northern Ireland usually spend the winter roosting on or near their nest site. However, in the past the Rathlin birds seem to have fancied a change of scenery and despite the best efforts of the RSPB, their location in winter has remained a mystery.

The RSPB think the young from the previous two years are spending winter apart from the parent birds, on grounds somewhere on the north coast.

Michael McLaughlin, RSPB Agri Environment Officer commented, ‘The reason the birds are staying this late in the year is most likely due to the great work of several dedicated landowners on the north coast who take on targeted chough habitat management.’ This type of specific land management is carried out with the help of RSPB advisors, through DARD (Dept of Agriculture and Rural Development) Agri Environment Schemes and gives a lifeline to some of Northern Ireland’s rarest species, including the chough.

In the summer and winter chough are most often seen at Rathlin on land managed for them under the scheme, which provides excellent feeding and entices them to spend the whole year at home instead of moving away for the winter. The RSPB’s reserve on Rathlin is perfect for these birds, the reserve is also extremely important for other species including corncrake, breeding seabirds, plants and the illusive hare.

Read more about Rathlin Island here

Feisty choughs

Notes from Cornish Choughs

With obvious concerns about how Jersey’s choughs may contend with the potential threats in their environment, it is reassuring to hear these thoughts on the birds that naturally recolonised Cornwall.

Choughs at Beacon Cove, Cornwall 2012. Photo by Colin Seager www.stcolumbphotos.com Cornish Choughs note that choughs are really feisty, they certainly punch above their weight using their feet and talons as weapons, often tackling birds much bigger than themselves.  Sometimes they make contact in mid-air, it is nail-biting watching a male chough attempt to grapple with a peregrine and the famous Lizard male sustained a serious injury to a leg a few years ago after fighting off a herring gull. Choughs often walk along with a pronounced Choughs at Beacon Cove, Cornwall 2012. Photo by Colin Seager www.stcolumbphotos.com limp and can have slightly deformed legs where they have broken and healed wonkily! These images by Colin Seager show immature choughs practice fighting – all good preparation for defending a territory in later life.

Claire Mucklow from the RSPB’s Cornish Chough project personally adds that from her experience choughs think they are invincible – and mostly they are!