Latest news with #redbilledchough
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Breakthrough in efforts to reintroduce rare bird to Kent
A young red-billed chough has successfully fledged from a nest in Kent, marking the first such event in the county for over two centuries. This milestone follows a reintroduction programme initiated three years ago by Wildwood Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, and Paradise Park. The red-billed chough, a bird with strong cultural links to Kent, vanished from the region over 200 years ago due to habitat loss and persecution. The reintroduction efforts aim to release up to 50 birds in the South East over five years, supported by long-term chalk grassland habitat restoration. Conservationists view the successful fledging as a significant step, confirming the birds are finding suitable nesting sites.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Wild-born chough fledges in Kent for first time in 200 years
A young red-billed chough has successfully taken flight from a nest in the wild in Kent for the first time in more than two centuries, conservationists have said.A nest that was discovered at Dover Castle this spring produced the chick that fledged last month. Once a thriving species in Kent, the birds vanished from the county as a result of habitat loss and Wildlife Trust's Liz Corry, supervisor of the chough's release, said: "This is a moment we've all been hoping for, to see a wild chick not only hatch but fledge and take to the sky is a major step forward to the species re-establishing itself naturally in the region." The trust said this "remarkable milestone" came just three years after the launch of a reintroduction programme led by the trust and Paradise Park. It said the fledging followed last year's nesting attempt, which ended when the chick went missing at the fledging stage during severe weather. The trust added more choughs were due to be released, such as those reared at Wildwood Kent, Wildwood Devon, Paradise Park and Camperdown Wildlife Park. There is a five-year plan to introduce up to 50 birds in the South East, said the said it had been working with landowners, the National Trust and the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership to create ideal conditions for choughs to forage and breed, such as chalk grassland habitat in East Hadaway, director of conservation and engagement at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: "A thriving chough population in Kent not only revives a lost species but it proves the value of restoring rare and vital habitats like chalk grassland." The red-billed chough has strong cultural links to Kent; they are featured on the coat of arms of Canterbury, and according to Kentish legend, the chough got its bright red beak and legs by wading in the blood of Thomas Becket, the archbishop murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by four reporting by PA.
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Wild-born chough fledges and thrives in Kent for first time in 200 years
A young red-billed chough has successfully taken to the skies from a nest in the wild in Kent for the first time for more than two centuries, conservationists said. The successful fledging of the chick from a nest at Dover Castle comes just three years after the launch of a reintroduction programme led by Wildwood Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust and Paradise Park to restore the species into the region. The red-billed chough has strong cultural links with Kent and its history, appearing on pub signs, the coat of arms of Canterbury and in the legend of martyred Thomas Becket, whose blood was said to have stained the bird's red beak and legs. But the bird, a member of the crow family, vanished from the county more than 200 years ago, as a result of habitat loss and persecution, conservationists said. The rare birds, which forage on grassland and heath with short vegetation near their cliffside nests, are found only on the western fringes of Britain, the Isle of Man and the island of Ireland. A reintroduction programme to rear and release chicks aims to introduce up to 50 birds in the South East over five years, with the first cohort of released birds taking to the skies in 2022. And long-term efforts to restore and manage chalk grass land habitat, including through conservation grazing, has created the conditions for choughs to forage and breed, the team behind the project said. Chalk grassland supports a wide array of wildflowers and invertebrates, with the insects and larvae found in dung from grazing animals a crucial food source for choughs during the breeding season. Conservationists say the successful fledging of a wild-born chough is a landmark moment for the bird's return to the county. It follows a breeding attempt last year which ended when the chick went missing at the fledging stage during severe weather, but this year the youngster seems to be thriving, the team said. Liz Corry, chough release supervisor at Wildwood Trust, said: 'This is a moment we've all been hoping for. 'To see a wild chick not only hatch but fledge and take to the skies is a major step forward. 'It confirms that the birds are finding suitable nesting habitat, and pairing up to raise young – exactly what we've been working towards.' Paul Hadaway, director of conservation and engagement at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: 'This project shows what's possible when long-term habitat restoration meets ambitious species recovery. 'A thriving chough population in Kent not only revives a lost species – it also proves the value of restoring rare habitats like chalk grassland, which are vital for a huge range of wildlife.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Wild-born chick takes to the skies for the first time in two centuries
A young red-billed chough has successfully taken flight from a nest in Kent, marking the first such event in over two centuries, conservationists have announced. The successful fledging of the chick at Dover Castle comes just three years after a reintroduction programme, led by Wildwood Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust and Paradise Park, began to restore the species into the region. The red-billed chough has strong cultural links with Kent and its history, appearing on pub signs, Canterbury 's coat of arms and in the legend of martyred Thomas Becket, whose blood was said to have stained the bird's red beak and legs. But the bird, a member of the crow family, vanished from the county more than 200 years ago, as a result of habitat loss and persecution. The rare birds, which forage on grassland and heath with short vegetation near their cliffside nests, are found only on the western fringes of Britain, the Isle of Man and the island of Ireland. A reintroduction programme to rear and release chicks aims to introduce up to 50 birds in the South East over five years, with the first cohort of released birds taking to the skies in 2022. And long-term efforts to restore and manage chalk grassland habitat, including through conservation grazing, have created the conditions for choughs to forage and breed, the team behind the project said. Chalk grassland supports a wide array of wildflowers and invertebrates, with the insects and larvae found in dung from grazing animals a crucial food source for choughs during the breeding season. Conservationists say the successful fledging of a wild-born chough is a landmark moment for the bird's return to the county. It follows a breeding attempt last year, which ended when the chick went missing at the fledging stage during severe weather, but this year the youngster seems to be thriving, the team said. Liz Corry, chough release supervisor at Wildwood Trust, said: 'This is a moment we've all been hoping for. 'To see a wild chick not only hatch but fledge and take to the skies is a major step forward. 'It confirms that the birds are finding suitable nesting habitat, and pairing up to raise young – exactly what we've been working towards.' Paul Hadaway, director of conservation and engagement at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: 'This project shows what's possible when long-term habitat restoration meets ambitious species recovery. 'A thriving chough population in Kent not only revives a lost species – it also proves the value of restoring rare habitats like chalk grassland, which are vital for a huge range of wildlife.'
