Although breeding choughs are monitored in Pembrokeshire
each year, this year’s records also contributed to a “national breeding chough
survey” coordinated by the RSPB. The last similar survey of its kind being an
International one carried out in 2002.
Around the Pembs coast - from Penally to Cemaes Head plus
the islands of Ramsey, Skomer and Skokholm - a total of 67 pairs of chough were considered to be occupying territories. Of
these (based on observed characteristic breeding behaviour) 48 pairs were confirmed to be breeding
and 19 pairs could not be confirmed
to have bred but may have attempted to do so.
Not all confirmed breeding pairs managed to fledge young but a minimum of 40 pairs raised at least 113 young –virtually identical breeding success/productivity figures to those obtained last year!
The ringed male above (now in his 19th year) is resident at Castlemartin - rearing 3 young this year with his un-ringed partner. He was also breeding there at the time of the 2002 chough survey.
This spring saw a welcomed increase in the number of non-breeding
birds recorded at a few locations. These are most likely to have been mainly sub-adult
(less than 3 year old) birds. Ramsey Island was one of the key areas, with up to 22 recorded there between April and
early-May. Up to 48 were seen there later
on in May but by this time some failed-breeders may have moved out of their
territories and joined the non-breeding flocks which can move around the coast.
Non-the-less, based on counts obtained at various locations
between 6th April and 15th May we estimate that there was
a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 71 non-breeding choughs recorded this spring. This
represents a significant proportion of
the total population – the highest number recorded for some
time. Hopefully this means that the chough population is recovering well from a dip
following the hard winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11. If so, this should translate into an increase in the number of breeding pairs next year – assuming
there is continued good survival this year and the coming winter ahead.
Part of a small flock non-breeding chough feeding in coastal turf this Spring.
Suffice to say, that it wouldn’t have been possible to have
undertaken and completed the survey without the help of a number of chough
observers, who walked the coast path and islands during the last several weeks
and contributed their records. Observations placed on the Blog
and into BirdTrack also provided useful additional information. So a big thanks to thanks to everyone who took
part.
As we get into August, surviving young choughs are independent and
dispersing. We are keen to locate any flocks, now likely to be mixture of
sub-adults and this year’s juveniles, to determine where these birds are feeding
during the day and communally roosting at night. So observations of chough
flocks noted during the next few weeks or so and placed on the Blog
would be most welcome.
Bob Haycock and Jane Hodges
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