It was most appropriate to see the report yesterday by Tony Cross of a flock of 21 Chough along the coast between Lanrhystud and Aberystwyth. Last weekend, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust - Ceredigion Branch (Emily Foot), Tony Cross, with the help of Adrienne Stratford and Andy Young, spent eight-hours setting up two new Chough nest boxes on the cliffs south of Aberystwyth. Thanks to the generosity of Peter Davis the boxes were funded by profits from the sale of the late Hywel Roderick's and Peter's book "The Birds of Ceredigion". Hywel would have thought this very fitting as Choughs featured very high on his list of favourite birds and it was on these cliffs that he first identified a nest-site back in the early 1990's at the start of the Cross & Stratford, Welsh Chough Project. Nestboxes are a big aid to the Chough population on
these cliffs as the rock is very loose and crumbly and natural sites tend not to last too long. Carefully sited boxes can last 20 years or more and be more productive than natural nest-sites. Nearly half of all the Choughs nesting in Ceredigion now nest in purpose built nest-boxes. The two erected were made with recycled plastic "EcoSheet" from Birch Farm in the Swansea Valley. They have since kindly agreed to donated several more sheets to the cause so more boxes will be constructed and erected when suitable sites have been identified.
these cliffs as the rock is very loose and crumbly and natural sites tend not to last too long. Carefully sited boxes can last 20 years or more and be more productive than natural nest-sites. Nearly half of all the Choughs nesting in Ceredigion now nest in purpose built nest-boxes. The two erected were made with recycled plastic "EcoSheet" from Birch Farm in the Swansea Valley. They have since kindly agreed to donated several more sheets to the cause so more boxes will be constructed and erected when suitable sites have been identified.
This scheme of colur ringing Choughs around the Welsh coast has now been running for 21 years. Valuable information is being obtained on the movement, survival and productivity of these delightful birds. Anyone sighting Chough with colour rings should note the colours, order (upper/lower) right v left leg and report them to Tony Cross.
The book ' The Birds of Ceredigion' has almost sold out - so if you have not yet got your copy - hurry to the local outlets - Siop y Pethe or the Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran before it is too late.