Ray Hales at Operation Chough HQ bending over desk and equipment © M Turton
In 2010 we partnered with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust with the aim of breeding and releasing choughs in Jersey, where they had been extinct for over 100 years. Several years of breeding and research lead to the first release on Jersey in 2013. The first wild chick was fledged in 2015, both parents being birds from Paradise Park. This was the first wild, red-billed Chough to be hatched in Jersey for a century and marked a significant step in the re-establishment of the species in the Channel Islands where there is now a population of about 40 birds.
That same year, the first meetings were held with Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust to discuss the formation of a project to re-establish the chough in Kent where it had been absent for 200 years. A breeding pair went on loan from Paradise Park to Wildwood and in 2017 chough chicks hatched in Kent for the first time in over 150 years. A meeting at Dover Castle in 2019 further cemented the partnership and formed strategies for releases. The work continued over the next couple of years, with five new purpose-built chough breeding aviaries funded by the Kent project were built in early 2023. The breeding pairs were put in place from their winter flocking aviary on Valentine’s Day, and this culminated in twelve chicks fledging.
Chough chicks ready to be weighed while Paradise Park Director Alison distracts adult birds © R Hales
In mid-May Liz Corry and Laura Gardner from the Wildwood Trust came down to take four chicks for the upcoming release in Kent. The four birds were about a week old and were taken to be creche reared with other chicks, as a large family group. This meant the chicks, while steady around people, would be much less likely to become imprinted on their adopted human parents. It would also make the chicks suitable for very early training for the planned release.
Four-week-old chicks ready to move to Kent © R Hales
Almost all of the eggs laid were shown to be fertile when checked, which is a good indication of the health of our flock at Paradise Park – now approaching some fifty birds.
The cameras allow for insights into chough behaviour which wouldn’t otherwise be seen.
Red-billed chough female at Paradise Park in Hayle, Cornwall laying an egg while the male waits patiently just outside the nest
We are really looking forward to seeing these fabulous birds flying over the white cliffs of Dover as they once did.
More young birds bred by the dedicated team at Paradise Park will be making the journey from Cornwall to Kent as releases will continue for a minimum of five years.
Chough chick learning that food is not always available from mum & dad © Ali Hales
The red-billed Chough is a sedentary species, returning them to Kent will help to join up the isolated UK populations. We are hoping to create further partnerships with the aim of finding release locations along the South coast and continue the return of the chough to England.
My name’s Amanda Brookman and I’m a member of the Kent Bat Group, a group set up by volunteers in 1983 to help the conservation of bats in Kent. As a lover of bats I’d like to share some tips with you for your home and garden that will benefit bats.
One of the main methods that seeds use to disperse themselves is through animals. Read more about the importance of this & how it happens.
Volunteer Matt Huggins explores some of the lesser-known but still fascinating animals that grace our woodlands.
