Flocking back: why Choughs are making a return in Cornwall

Cornish Choughs are thriving back in their home habitats after being a rare spot in the county for decades.

There are believed to be around 45 of the birds in Cornwall, a "pretty good number" according to the RSPB, considering that not so long ago there were absolutely none. Now they have spread as far north as Tintagel.

The birds were first spotted back in Cornwall in 2001 and DNA testing carried out a few years ago by a student at Aberdeen University revealed that the birds now in Cornwall came from Ireland. They were not re-introduced but naturally colonised the area again.

To help with this colonisation though the RSPB has enlisted the help of the farming community.

Initiatives like this will encourage the Cornish Choughs to stay where they belong, back in Cornwall.