Cornwall choughs and species mission

I’ve returned to Cornwall to join up with the chough project again.  My role is, essentially, to monitor the young pair that I was observing before the Scotland trip.  I will be camping, and wandering up to 5 or 6 km of coastal path on a daily basis.  Why am I doing this?  Ha, you’ll see.

On my first day back I catch up with the male Brownblue first thing.  He seems well, and a little while later both him and Whitebrown are feeding within a few metres of me.  When I last saw them they had eggs, now they are parents.  We think it’ll be about 3 to 4 more weeks to fledging time.

I also see stonechats, whitethroats, kestrel, jackdaws and gulls a plenty.  And there are so many other species of plants, invertebrates, etc here that it gives me a great opportunity to indulge the nature geek in me.  It’s a great day right up to point where a raven comes a calling.  Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against ravens, (in fact, like all birds, they are my favourite bird) but they are known to take other bird’s eggs and young.  Our young choughs are well aware of this and make a point of attempting to beat the crap out of any raven that passes over their territory.  As they do this the raven glides along and skilfully performs its 180 degree evasion technique, where it turns upside down whilst flying.  It’s amazing to watch.

Anyway, last thing today there was a big commotion involving a raven, the choughs, some jackdaws and, I think, a kestrel, although I was surprised to see the kestrel flying away from the seen, as they usually don’t get involved.  As the raven flew away it clearly had something small and black in its mouth.  I couldn’t see what it was, but the other birds were disturbed.  Unfortunately, I had to leave shortly afterwards, so I walked home feeling a little worried…