In a sign of impending conquest, a couple of red-billed choughs have been spotted at Dover Castle in Kent, causing jubilation among conservationists.
These rare birds were released in Dover in July and since their release, they have spread their wings and grown stronger, flying further and exploring new territories.
In a poetic moment, two choughs were spied perching on the window ledge of Dover Castle by English Heritage staff.
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The red-billed chough is a corvid – a member of the crow family – and boasts a glossy black plumage, bright red beak and red legs.
Although the bird became extinct in Kent 200 years ago, the chough has strong connections with the county, appearing on the Canterbury Coat of Arms.
Legend has it that the corvid obtained its bright red beak and legs by paddling in the blood of Archbishop Sir Thomas Becket, following his murder by Henry II’s knights in Canterbury Cathedral.
A flock of creche-reared chicks were released in July into a secret chalk grassland location in Dover, in a joint project by Wildwood Trust and Kent Wildlife Trust.
Colin Wiltshire of English Heritage said: “We are delighted to see the choughs making it over to the castle, we have been proud supporters of the project since it began, and this is a milestone moment.”
Liz Corry, chough supervisor at Wildwood Trust said: “Choughs are incredibly intelligent and they have strong personalities, they are inquisitive and sociable.
“They form strong social groups and learn from each other. Since their release, we have watched them work together to chase off buzzards and rally around to warn one another about any nearby peregrine falcon - their natural predator.”
So everybody's 'chough-ed' by this latest triumph. Where's next for the birds, the Tower of London? Maybe the ravens ought to watch out for the new corvids in town...
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