The chough nests webcam at Paradise Park is now online. Click here to view.

Nest three female chough with horse hair

Our chough nests webcam is up and running. All five nests are progressing well. Nests 1, 3 & 5 are just ahead of 2 & 4, which is the same pattern as last year.

We start by giving the birds large twigs, and then move on to smaller twigs, sprigs of heather, and finally moss and horse hair and sheep wool.

For some reason the choughs prefer white horse hair to darker colours – possibly as it is closer to the colour of sheep wool.

Many thanks to Old Mill Stables at Lelant for their regular gift of horse hair.

Spring has finally sprung, and the choughs at Paradise Park are starting to build their nests.

CCTV Image of the five chough nests at Paradise Park

Our breeding choughs have now been installed in the seclusion aviaries ready for the 2016 breeding season. The birds were put into the aviaries in the first week of March, and all immediately started exploring the nest boxes and gathering twigs.

This year we have five breeding pairs. Four of the pairs are the same as last year – nest two has the same female, but a new male. Sadly the male in nest two died in the winter months.

Similar pairings means we should know what to expect from each pair in terms of nest-building, and the timing of egg-laying. Already the odd-numbered pairs (1, 3 & 5) are away to an early start with pairs 2 and 4 taking their time.

The webcam will be going live shortly, on the site and the main Paradise Park site.