The return of the Red-billed Chough to Cornwall: the first ten years and prospects for the future

摘要

In 2001, three Red-billed Choughs Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax settled on the Lizard peninsula and a successful breeding attempt followed in 2002. Since then, breeding has taken place each year and, by spring 2011, the population had increased to six pairs, which fledged a record-breaking 15 young. As part of the joint RSPB/Natural England Action for Birds in England Species Recovery Project for Chough and the RSPB/National Trust/Natural England Cornwall Chough Project, this population has been the subject of nest protection and targeted habitat management to maximise the chances of successful natural recolonisation. Monitoring has provided detailed information on the establishing population and will provide early warning of future problems. This paper updates Carter et al. (2003) and reviews the project, describes how the Cornish birds have performed during the last decade, offers comparisons with Red-billed Chough populations elsewhere in northwest Europe and speculates on what the future may hold.