Chough chicks fledge

On Saturday 7th June at 3.50pm the team of National Trust and RSPB volunteers, who have spent hundreds of hours watching the choughs this season, were delighted by the appearance of 3 healthy chicks from the nest cave. 

Photo: Terry Thirlaway

To see the new Lizard Point pair successfully raise a family this year is absolutely fantastic. All the hours of monitoring, nest protection and awareness raising has paid off for the new pair at Lizard Point. The newly fledged chicks took a few tentative steps or 'hops' out of the cave on the 7th, and just 8 days later  they are now off on the wing, spending most of the day feeding with their parents along the cliffs west of Lizard Point.

Photo: Terry Thirlaway

Photo: Terry Thirlaway

The chicks can stay with their parents for up to 8 weeks and will use this time getting to know the surrounding area. Although their favoured places to feed are along the cliffs between Lizard and Kynance, occasionally you will see them flying as far as Mullion or Cadgwith for feeding trips.  Now is the best time to see the choughs and their young here on the Lizard. Come and visit our Wildlife Watchpoint at Lizard Point where our volunteers will give you up to date information on the choughs and other wildlife in the area. We are open 10 am - 4 pm daily.

If you are around this weekend, we are leading a guided walk to see the new  family of Cornish choughs. Meet us this Sunday at 10am at the National Trust Car Park at Kynance for a guided walk to see wild Cornish Choughs. On route you will be introduced to the choughs and some of the other fantastic wildlife that surrounds Kynance Cove. Our Rangers will be on hand to tell you more about the history of choughs in Cornwall and talk you through the growing conservation effort supporting the chough's natural recolonisation. The walk will last approximately 2hrs. Please wear strong walking boots and suitable outdoor clothing. Dogs welcome but must be on leads. There is a charge of £2.50 per person (additional car parking charges apply to non members). For more information call 01326 291174 or email catherine.lee@nationaltrust.org.uk

As the young family head out to the cliffs to find food can we ask a favour from you? 

Please ensure you do not unnecessarily disturb the choughs. They are quite sociable birds so if you sit quietly often they will come quite close and you'll get super views, but if you try and get too close to them you may frighten them off. If you have a dog can you please ensure he / she is under control around the new family. Many thanks in advance, and good luck spotting the choughs. 

If you see the choughs please let us know at the wildlife watchpoint, you can also send in your sightings to the RSPB: cornishchoughs@rspb.org.uk 

- Cat