Cornish chough numbers have reached a record-breaking 161 birds this summer, according to the RSPB. Conservationists report 56 successful breeding pairs across the coastline, marking a dramatic recovery for a species that completely died out in Cornwall during the 1970s before returning in 2001.
The striking black birds with red bills and legs, which hold deep cultural significance in the region and appear on the official county coat of arms alongside a miner and a fisherman, are currently experiencing robust health across their traditional coastal strongholds, the conservation charity announced. The latest count of 161 birds represents an increase of 32 from the 129 recorded in 2025. RSPB England said the new birds came from 56 successful breeding pairs, meaning the average productivity of a Cornish chough nest was three fledglings. The birds are part of the carrion crow family.
The Lizard Peninsula Emerges as the Prime Breeding Ground
The Lizard peninsula continues to serve as the epicenter of the population’s resurgence, with the charity noting the Lizard was the prime breeding ground for the Cornish chough. Conservation organizations report that 26 chicks emerged from eight nests on the peninsula this season, representing an increase of 11 compared to 2025. Across all successful sites, the average productivity of a Cornish chough nest reached three fledglings.
Peter Hall, a National Trust chough monitoring volunteer on the Lizard, is in his 11th year of monitoring the nest sites. Reflecting on the long-term changes, he noted that he had not foreseen a time when he would be monitoring so many sites, stating certainly not having 16 choughlets fledge.
“The past two winters we have been blessed with chatterings in excess of 20 chough around the Lizard – a far cry from the solitary single pair we had when I started as part of the then nest protection team in 2016.”
Peter Hall, National Trust chough monitoring volunteer on the Lizard
Hall added: Long may the successful return of this iconic Cornish bird delight myself and others.
A Quarter Century of Coordinated Conservation Work
The modern chough population stems from a pivotal moment when choughs died out in Cornwall in the 1970s but returned in 2001 when three birds believed to be from Ireland landed at Lizard Point and began rebreeding. The National Trust added the success had been down to cooperation between agencies, farmers and landowners.
National Trust volunteer Lydia Allt said 2026 had been an exceptional one
for choughs on the Lizard and across Cornwall. She said: Thanks to a quarter of a century of conservation work, partnership working and the support of local farmers and land managers, we are seeing record numbers of chough across the area.
Allt added: Their remarkable recovery shows what can be achieved when habitats are restored and protected, giving wildlife the space it needs to thrive.
She further noted: To see so many choughs successfully breeding and feeding across the Lizard is incredibly encouraging and highlights the importance of continuing to care for this special landscape for future generations.
Volunteer Networks Drive Monitoring Efforts Across the Coastline
Achieving these record figures required extensive fieldwork. Andrew Jones, chough conservation officer for the RSPB in Cornwall, emphasized that the repopulation work would not be possible without volunteers, stating that there has been a huge volunteer effort over the past 25 years to protect and monitor Cornwall’s iconic choughs and expressing gratitude to everyone who has played their part in this conservation success story.
“This year, the RSPB and National Trust have had a team of around 50 dedicated volunteer chough watchers, covering the coastline from the Roseland all the way round to Bude, monitoring the breeding efforts and reporting back so we could collate these fantastic, record-breaking numbers.”
Andrew Jones, chough conservation officer for the RSPB in Cornwall
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