Clare study targets plummeting Chough populations
A new study will investigate the significant decline of the Chough, a Crow family species, along the West Clare coast.
Clare County Council‘s Biodiversity Office and Birdwatch Ireland are collaborating on a survey of nesting Choughs across a 30km coastal strip from Kilkee to Loop Head.
Factors contributing to the Chough’s decline include persecution, habitat loss from intensified or abandoned land use, and disturbances affecting the species’ life cycle.
According to the 2021 National Chough Survey, at least 900 breeding pairs remain, with roughly 54% concentrated in Counties Cork and Kerry.
The 2021 survey, targeting Special Protection Areas (SPAs) where Choughs are a conservation priority, revealed notable population drops, particularly in parts of northern Ireland and County Clare in the west.
The Cliffs of Moher SPA has experienced a decline in breeding Choughs since the 2002/2003 survey.
Funded by Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Office and the Council’s Tourism Development Department, the Chough Coastal Bird Survey involves field surveys being carried out by Birdwatch Ireland between April and June of 2025. The survey will involve a walked transect to record breeding activity and nesting pairs and vantage point surveys to help locate nests.
The survey hopes to establish the size of the local breeding population and inform future conservation actions for the Chough population. Suitable locations for Chough nest boxes will be recommended, if needed, to help conserve the local population.
Barry O’Loughlin, Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer, said, “We are appealing to farmers, landowners and members of the public at this early stage for any records of nest sites or breeding activity along this stretch of coastline and up to 1km inland from the coast. Chough can nest on coastal cliffs in caves or in cattle sheds, haybarns or derelict cottages and farmers may be aware of local nest sites.”
Kathryn Finney, Birdwatch Ireland and Project Manager said, “Chough are an iconic and well-liked coastal farmland bird. By establishing their breeding population and working alongside farmers to identify or provide suitable nesting sites we can help safeguard their future in this area.”
Members of the public can report Chough nest sites: by filling out the short online survey form; email Birdwatch Ireland kfinney@birdwatchireland.ie; or phone Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Officer through Clare County Council’s switchboard.
The below livestream camera features a pair of Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) nesting in a modern cattle shed in West Cork.
The birds have nested in the shed for a number of years, successfully fledging young most years.
In Irish, Chough are known as cág cosdearg which translates as red-legged jackdaw.
