We've been out on the coast quite a bit recently, trying to sort out how breeding choughs are doing this spring. A few pairs are now feeding nestlings, with some no longer needing to be brooded, judging by observed adult behaviour at a few sites. However, it is still far too early to determine how productive the breeding season will be this year.
Choughs, like other birds, will squabble over territory possession on occasions. Two (almost certainly males) were observed today having a good old scrap on the coast path in South Pembs. It is probably fair to say that these two, photographed in action, are not best buddies!
Fights like this, with one pinned to the ground, being pecked and prodded by the more dominant bird, are often seen in autumn, when young birds are pairing up. Unfortunately, such fights can sometimes lead to the death of the subordinate individual. Here, in this particular territory, up to four choughs have been around all spring, but none have settled to breed. It will be fascinating to see if four now becomes two and if breeding occurs next year!
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| It is almost possible to see anger in the eye of the aggressor |
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| The one on the left managed to free itself from the clutches of the one on the right, but was soon chased and the fight possibly recommenced elsewhere! |
Other non-breeding choughs noted today included a flock of 15 at Buckspool Down this evening. They all seemed to be getting on fine! A similar number (probably including many of the same birds) has been resident in this general area for several weeks.
As for larger corvids, it seems to have been a pretty good breeding season as far as ravens are concerned. Of several broods observed in various places on the south Pembs coast this spring, most young are now fledging or have already fledged. Of those that have been recorded all have managed to rear 3-5 young.
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| One of four young ravens that fledged in the last couple of days from a nest on the Limestone coast |