The Cornish Chough by danob
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Description
There had always been choughs in Cornwall. The first reliable recording of their presence dates back to 1640, but surely they were living there long before that time.
Myths and legends about these charismatic members of the crow family abound it is even said that the soul of King Arthur departed this life in the form of a chough, whose red bill and legs symbolised his bloody end.
Certainly the chough has a special meaning for the people of Cornwall; it appears on the Cornwall County Council coat of arms, on the Tamar bridge, on numerous pub signs, and is celebrated in Cornish prose and poetry.
I left Cornwall in 1973 and it was about that time that the last Chough was seen there, and they vanished not to be seen again until 1981, when they were first spotted again around the Lizard, and over the last few years they have started to breed again.. Both the reason for the extinction, and recent return may be due to the change in agricultural practices, apart from pesticides.
Grazing cattle on the cliff tops in my opinion, being the most important as this provided the birds with the habitat they like, and also in other parts of the world where they have survived such as Wales and Ireland, and Brittany.
Comments (45)
That's a familiar looking bird, i think it's on the Seven Stars coat of arms (a local pub in Penryn). I'm pretty certain thats the bird. Great shot Dan, I'm glad you're flying the flag.
Super capture of this awesome bird!
wonderful bird!!!! Fantastic photo!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the info and a fine shot as always!
Beautiful looking bird and nice capture Birdman Dan.... check out this blackbird in England he sounds like an ambulance http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1406586.ece
I once saw this bird on a Cornish pub (A fremlins House)sign as you point out Danny, I wonder if their declining numbers were due to the fact that they stopped putting them in the Cornish Pasties LOL, just my little joke mate :)...This is a wonderful shot of the Bird, what a pretty thing he is too
Stunning capture of this special bird my friend.Thank you for sharing this picture and information my friend.
Wonderful. Excellent shot!!
Fantastic capture and expression, Danny!!!
Outstanding capture Danny, I'm glad they are on the up and up again. The first one I have ever seen. Superb clarity and detail. Bravo!!!!!
wonderfull capture and info x
I was fascinated by the information Danny, a fine capture as usual !
Got nice & close here Danny, it's great that they're back. Red squirrel next?
Another great one my friend!
A new bird for me!
Klasse!!!
Wonderful capture. His lack of sheen is similar to the flat black on stealth aircraft:) Thanks for posting...great notes.
Superb capture of this beautiful bird, well done.
An excellent portrait, very well done!!
A wonderful shot of a real rare (for Britain) crow. I last saw a Chough in the Alps, although those are a different sub species. Bravo.
Marvellous shot! Great to hear they are making a comeback!
Beautiful scene, posing and work!
Great shot of the little guy here Danny and the background was superb
Great capture, good to know they back and a lovely info to read.
Love the colors such a super shot!
this is sooo perfect Danny .......
This seems to be a very sturdy bird. I am fascinated by the slight humping of the back...so prominent here. The history given is wonderful!
Awesome note, nice capture.
great picture and info!!
Beautiful capture and fascinating information.