Operation Chough
Choughs are a fabulous species to see at the Park and in the wild.
Operation Chough is a conservation project established at Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Hayle in Cornwall in 1987. Our initial aim was to see the chough back and living once again on the cliffs of Cornwall. We are now working to ensure that its return is permanent and sustainable, and that the small group in Cornwall is able to maintain a healthy population into the future. We breed choughs in captivity, and are working with our partners to establish groups in several locations, and will make birds available for release in Cornwall and elsewhere to secure the future of the current population, if necessary for demographic or genetic reasons.
The Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) is a member of the crow family, distinguished by its glossy black plumage and the red of its legs and elegantly-curved bill.
To see this magnificent crow is a highlight for anyone walking along Cornwall’s coast path. The chough often draws attention to itself by making its distinctive ‘chee-ow’ call, and it can also be identified in flight by its wing shape.
The decline of the chough in Cornwall was particularly sad because of its strong relationship with the county; it even features on the official coat of arms. The natural re-population of Cornwall by the chough is a story full of hope for all who love this charismatic crow.
Cornwall update
The species was missing from Cornwall for nearly 40 years until 2001 when three birds arrived. These were of Irish origins and since then the species has bred every year.
The growing population is monitored by lots of volunteers, records are kept by ‘Cornwall Birds’ (aka CBWPS). We pass on all our observations and reports of sightings to Cornwall Birds.
2023 – At end of 2023 there were about 300 choughs in Cornwall. 39 pairs bred successfully and produced thirty chicks.
2024 – The Cornish Chough population has grown by more than 100 birds for the second year running. This summer a record 55 pairs attempted to breed, up from the previous high of 47 in 2023! Of the confirmed pairs, 40 successfully raised a brood, with 108 ‘Choughlets’ known to have fledged from nests around the Kernow coastline.
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Kent reintroduction Project
Choughs photographed over Dover Castle at an early stage of the release project
Choughs used to fly over the white cliffs of Dover but have been missing for 200 years. We established a partnership with Wildwood Trust and Kent Wildlife Trust to restore the species to the area.
2021 – Choughs in an aviary at Dover Castle to engage visitors about the species and project.
2023 – A release aviary was built in a secluded location and the first release took place. The free flying birds can return to aviary at any time for shelter and supplementary food if needed.
2024 – What a year it’s been for the Kent Chough Reintroduction project with partners Wildwood Trust and Kent Wildlife Trust. We are delighted to announce the release of the second cohort of birds bringing the new total up to 19.
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Jersey Reintroduction Project
Two photographs taken of choughs in the wild on Jersey.
Choughs became locally extinct in Jersey 100 years ago. Our partnership with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust started in 2010 and over the following years choughs were established in aviaries at Jersey Zoo, and a release aviary was built.
2013 – First release of choughs bred at Paradise Park.
2015 – Birds paired up and a first chick was hatched in the wild.
2024 – News for current season is good. Sixteen chicks are known to have fledged in the wild, plus 3 other breeding pairs may have chicks. Current chough population is about forty birds.
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Please visit the Operation Chough website for more information.
Below is a photograph of Ray Hales weighing a chough chick at Operation Chough HQ at Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary.
Read about how the Cornish Chough was plentiful in Poldark days HERE