Nature lovers can livestream two pairs of rare birds as they build their nests and rear their chicks in Co. Cork this spring.
Members of the public can now tune in again this year to ‘Nestflix’, two new livestreams which show pairs of Chough as they go about building their nests, raising their young and carrying out noisy ‘conversations’ with each other. Chough are vocal birds, which means that the livestream comes with one of nature’s livelier soundtracks.
Over the past few years, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has installed cameras at two locations around Co. Cork to observe and better understand the behavior of Chough and what helps them to breed and thrive. Following last year’s cliffhanger, two pairs of Chough recently returned to Mizen Head and Clonakilty and are now beginning to build their nests.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said: “As someone born and raised in West Cork, the distinctive call of the Chough has been part of the soundtrack of my life. I have often had the privilege of watching these playful pairs of Chough swooping and soaring along coastal clifftops. Not everyone has the chance to see this beautiful bird with its bright red beak and red legs. Projects like this offer greater public access and understanding about bird life and what we can all do to protect our birds by protecting its habitats and reducing disturbance to nesting sites.
"Ireland is of outstanding global importance for this species, supporting over 60% of the biogeographic population of this species and Ireland is committed to ensuring this special bird thrives through a network of eighteen protected sites, four of which are located in Co Cork.
"The Chough is the rarest member of the crow family in Ireland and is largely confined to the south and west coasts. There are around 900 pairs of Chough breeding in Ireland and Co Cork is the stronghold for the species with 30% of the national population. Due to its scarcity in Europe, Chough are protected under Irish national legislation and also the EU Birds Directive, and Ireland has designated a number of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) to help conserve it.”
Clare Heardman, an Ecologist with the NPWS said: “Chough traditionally nest in crevices in sea cliffs, but some are changing their nesting habits. In Cork more than a third of Chough are now nesting in buildings such as cattle sheds, hay barns and abandoned buildings. This has facilitated the installation of the live nest cameras so the public can get a rare insight into a normally hidden part of the Chough’s life.
"The Chough featured in both livestreams are currently building their nests but it won’t be long before they lay. Last year the Mizen pair laid their first egg at the end of March, and the Clonakilty pair at the beginning of April. Up to five eggs were laid in each nest in 2024, with the chicks hatching from late April. During incubation the male feeds the female at the nest, but once the chicks hatch both parents provide for their hungry brood. After four to five weeks, the chicks fledge and leave the nest. So there will be lots of activity over the coming months for people tuning in.”
Livestream Links:
LIVE Irish Chough Nest 1 - Mizen Peninsula, Co Cork
LIVE Irish Chough Nest 2 - Clonakilty, Co. Cork
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