Green Gym Volunteers have been keeping up their monthy tasks at Chypraze Farm clearing gorse from the cliffs-tops to secure habitat for the Chough, the Cornish emblem which had been lost to the area for years.
Following a long decline, the Chough had disappeared from Cornwall in 1973 until 2001 when a small group visited, resulting in 2002 in 3 staying, including a breeding pair at Lizard point which have raised 32 young, many of which are now breeding.
In 2008 the first chicks were born in the nearby West Penwith peninsular. (The first for 150 years)
As part of the Wild Penwith Project, conservation organisations are working with local landowners to provide habitat by restoring grasslands around the coastal fringe and grazing suitable stock to create a mosaic of open, short grassland where they can forage for invertebrates.
The Green Gym work clearing cliff-top fields at Chypraze Farm in preparation for grazing with a small herd of Highland cattle working in the area along-side the National Trust, Wildlife Trust, RSPB and Natural England to provide the best chance of this fledgling colony surviving.
Jadie Baker, Green Gym leader said “ this is my favourite work site, the view to Pendeen lighthouse is stunning and the thought of a Pasty from the farmer to keep us going!”
The Cornwall Green Gym programme is currently funded by a £45,262 grant raised by Health Perfect from the Health Lottery
Choughwatch Blog at www.Cornishchough.org