2024 was meant to be the year of the Isle of Man Chough Census but apparently no one told the weather.
The whole Island Chough Census is carried out at roughly 10 yearly intervals and are integral in gathering vital information to help conserve the species.
The Isle of Man is home to one of the UK's most important Chough populations. The most recent survey, conducted in 2014-15, recorded 160 breeding pairs, which made up nearly one-third of all breeding Choughs in the British Isles. Particularly notable is the Calf of Man, believed to have the highest breeding density of Choughs in the entire UK. These fascinating birds, with their distinctive red beaks and legs, are known to nest in rocky coastal cliffs, caves, and crevices, although a rise in inland nesting sites has been observed over the years.
Manx BirdLife had hoped to confirm whether the trend of increased inland nesting continued since the last census. Between 2002 and 2015, the number of inland nest sites—such as those found in traditional tholtans, old barns, and disused mine workings—nearly doubled, a promising sign for the species' adaptability. However, the unseasonably harsh spring weather in 2024, including heavy rain and strong winds, made early surveys incredibly difficult. The weather conditions also seemed to impact the birds themselves, as many pairs that had been spotted in suitable nesting habitats were not settling to breed. This is likely due to the poor weather, which may have affected the birds' ability to build up enough body condition to successfully reproduce.
Further complications arose when the fieldworker responsible for the census had to step down due to health issues so with the combination of weather and staffing difficulties, a decision was made to pause the census for 2024, giving the Choughs the time and space they need to thrive.
From the limited data collected, it is clear that it was not a good year for breeding Choughs, with only 64 pairs recorded. This decline in successful breeding was part of a broader trend seen across the Island, as very few butterflies or dragonflies were recorded in the early and mid-summer months and other bird species were seen to have poor breeding success as well, reminding us all of how fragile nature can be.
The team will resume the census next year and have just begun recruiting for a new fieldworker. If you or someone you know is interested in applying or even volunteering as a surveyor, you can get in touch via email at enquiries@manxbirdlife.im for more information.
Fingers crossed that the weather will be kinder to both the birds and the surveyors in 2025, allowing the team to gather the necessary data to help protect this iconic species for years to come.
