Higher and higher! Chough numbers continue to soar on the Cornish coast

                                                      

The Chough as depicted in John Gould's The Birds of Great Britain (published in 1873)

IT has been a bumper breeding season for Choughs on the Cornish coast.

A total of 161 young birds - 32 more than last year - have fledged from 56 successful pairs.

The 2025 figure was a record since numbers have been kept, so this year's tally beats it.  

The success marks a remarkable comeback since the species died out in the county in 1973.

The recovery is understood to have been triggered when three adventurous birds  from Ireland  arrived at Lizard Point in 2001, with two of them becoming the first breeding pair for almost three decades.

The turnaround is testament to a rnge of conservation inititiatives by the likes of the Cornish Chough Conservation Network, Cornwall Birds, the RSPB, the National Trust and Natural England.

County wildlife trust thought to be one of the parties keen to buy wader-rich wetland site in Lincolnshire

                                                       

The view birds have of Manby Flashes as they come into land

THE deadline has passed for offers on a Lincolnshire wetland which accommodates an unofficial bird reserve.

Interested parties had until noon today to submit offers for the 11.38-hectare Manby Flashes near Louth.

Throughout the year, the site attracts migrating waders and wildfowl which can often be viewed from a four-person hide maintained by  Lincolnshire Bird Club.

It is understood that one potential buyer is the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust which is ready to dip into its reserves of £20.9-million to make the purchase.

If successful, the Flashes would supplements its network of reserves which includes Gibraltar Point bird observatory, near Skegness further south on the county coast, Far Ings, near Barton-on Humber, and Whisby nature park near Lincoln,

                                                    

Migrating Greenshank (above) and Green Sandpiper are among wading birds regularly seen on the wetland

Headline birds - the three species making a splash on front covers of this month's ornithological magazines

Red Kite, Collared Dove and Goldcrest are the species featured on the front covers of the September editions of three frontline ornithological titles.

                                                 

                                                                                                                                                  

It's fingers crossed that the 'crex crex' call of Corncrakes will once again be heard widely in Yorkshire's countryside

                                                                   

Corncrake and chicks as depicted in John Gould's The Birds of Great Britain (1873)

COULD summer next year mark the return to Yorkshire of calling Corncrakes?

Up until the early 1900s, they were common on and around grassland in much of the county, but, following changes in farming practice and loss of habitat, their numbers plummeted such as there may  now be only one two breeding pairs left.

However, that could change following the recent release in hay meadows within  the Lower Derwent Valley, at Wheldrake in the north of the county, of 148 captive-reared birds which are soon expected to migrate to Central Africa over  autumn, then return next spring.

Prior to their release, the captive-reared birds were, for 26 days, kept in pens with views of the stars in the  night sky which, helped by Earth's magnetic fields, it is hoped might guide their migration journeys.

The RSPB and the WWT were involved with a similar project in the Ouse Washes but, for reasons that are not known, decided to pull out.

This new Yorkshire project is a joint venture between Natural England, National Nature Reserves and Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley.

                                                

What adventures lie ahead? One of the captive-reared  birds is released (photo: Natural  England)

The Wryneck says: Here's hoping that this project is a huge success. But it does prompt a question. The Corncrake is struggling all over Europe, so how were these eggs obtained? It is understood that Hebridean islands might have been the source, but clarity would be welcome.   

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A place to watch the Curlew, Godwits and other waders while simultaneously enjoying a drink and/or a meal

 

An asking price of £995,000 has been set for a pub-restaurant that sits alongside the Humber Estuary, an important habitat for over-wintering waders and wildfowl. More information about the Hope and Anchor in South Ferriby, North Lincolnshire,  is available from the agents, Christie & Co, at  07561 115 179.

                                                                     

What future the famous Rye Meads nature reserve in Hertfordshire when the RSPB pulls out in November?

                                      

Anger is continuing to simmer over the RSPB's decision to vacate the popular Rye Meads reserve in Hertfordshire as a cash-saving gambit. It is understood that, in November, Thames Water will assume responsibility for oversight of the reserve, but it is not clear whether the reserve will continue to be managed for the benefit of birds and other wildlife life or whether access will be maintained  for birders and others.  These and other issues are due to be thrashed out at a public meeting starting at 7.15pm  on Thursday September 3 in the function room at Stanboroughs Conservative Club  at  Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire.

RSPB wardening post on Tayside offers 'varied and rewarding' work for wetland birds enthusiast

Whooper swans are among the winter visitors to the reserves 

    

A PART-TIME warden is being sought by the RSPB for three of its Tayside reserves in Scotland.

They are those at Loch Leven, Loch of Kinnordy and Tay Reedbed.

Says the society: "This is a permanent role for 15 hours per week.

"It offers a varied, practical and rewarding working environment. 

"The successful candidate will contribute to habitat management, species monitoring and visitor experience across all three sites, working alongside colleagues and volunteers."

The job description provides more information as follows: 

* At Loch Leven, you will be part of a team managing a range of habitats with a focus on wet grassland. The site supports an ever-changing range of wildlife, from breeding waders and wildfowl in spring and summer to flocks of migratory geese and swans in autumn, with Red Squirrels year-round.

* At Loch of Kinnordy, you will help to deliver management in and around the wetland, including the open water, reedbed and fen. This site is rich with wildlife including Ospreys, Otters, Beavers, Red Squirrels and a range of waders and wildfowl.

* At the Tay Reedbeds, you will  work within the UK’s largest continuous reedbed, an internationally important habitat along the River Tay. Here, species such as Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers and Water Rails depend on rotational reedbed management.

The position is based at Loch Leven, and the salary is the pro-rata equivalent of £30,977.00 - £39,359.00 per annum

The closing date for applications is Sunday September 27, with interviews proposed for October 6.

Further information is available from Vicky Turnbull at vicky.turnbull@rspb.org.uk.

The reserves are home to many winter-staying wetland visitors