Welsh Journals

The Chough in Wales I. D. Bullock, D. R. Drewett and S. P. Mickleburgh The 1982 Chough Survey in Wales was carried out as part of the International Chough Survey 1982, organised by the RSPB in conjunction with the BTO and IWC. The main aims of the survey were to define the current distribution and numbers of choughs in Wales, Isle of Man, Scotland, Ireland and Brittany (Bullock et al. 1983a) and to collect data on habitat types within the main chough breeding areas. The only other complete chough survey of Wales was in 1963 as part of a wider census of the British Isles population (Rolfe 1966). Harrop (1970) carried out a chough survey of North Wales in 1969, largely on his own. A comprehensive census was organised in Pembrokeshire by WWNT members in 1971 (Donovan 1972). In 1975 there was a local survey for Montgomeryshire. (Williams, unpubl.) and in 1976 a comprehensive survey of choughs in Cardiganshire was carried out by Roderick (1978). The 1982 Welsh survey was designed to obtain an accurate figure for breeding pairs throughout Wales, and some idea of numbers of non-breeding birds wherever possible. Historic and recent sites were determined after sifting through the previous surveys, past literature, old correspondence, diaries, BTO nest record cards and information from local observers. Several other areas with no known breeding records were included if they seemed at all suitable. Methods The survey in Wales was carried out by over 100 volunteer observers organised into teams by several local organisers. This effort was supported by two of us (DRD and SPM) who visited most areas between April and July. Liaison between them and the local volunteers was maintained to ensure that all potential breeding areas were adequately covered. Individual observers were asked to walk routes which would pass by likely nesting sites (e.g. cliffs, rock faces, quarries or mines) in order to locate breeding pairs. Most sites were visited at least twice, often by different observers. All chough records (eg. pairs, nests or flocks) were recorded on special cards for each kilometre square covered. Habitat details were estimated to the nearest 10% in each square. Observers were also asked to record feeding incidents and to note the type of habitat/land use in each case. Information on clutch size, brood size and numbers fledging was recorded where possible, together with type of nest, its aspect, altitude and distance from the sea. Two visits were recommended for each area, preferably in mid-May and again in mid-June. During this period both parents feed the nestlings and it is easier to locate nests than during the incubation period. Fig. 1 Breeding distribution of the Chough in Wales 1982 (represented on a 10 km sq basis). Large dot-definite breeding; medium dot-probable breeding; small dot- possible breeding.