Wild choughs spotted in Kent after two centuries

Captive-bred choughs were first released in Kent in 2023

A bird that has been extinct in Kent for two centuries has been spotted in the county.

Red-billed choughs, a member of the crow family, were wiped out by changes in farming practices.

A project by Wildwood Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, and Paradise Park saw captive-bred birds released near Dover in 2023.

Choughs have now been seen flying in Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs.

Liz Cory, from Wildwood Trust, said: "We'd been using GPS to track the birds and had a sneaky suspicion they were venturing further afield. The tags only collect location fixes every two hours so we had gaps in the data.

"I started receiving reports from bird watchers of choughs flying over places like King George VI Memorial Park and Walpole Bay."

2025 will be the third year young choughs will be released in the county

With more captive-bred birds due for release, the charities are asking members of the public to report any sightings of the distinctive birds.

Paul Hadaway from the Kent Wildlife Trust said: "These birds are not just a symbol of success for this project, they're indicators of a healthier, more resilient landscape.

"By helping to rebuild the natural systems in key habitats like rare chalk grassland, we're able to bring back lost species like the chough.

"These restored systems can then support biodiversity, climate resilience, and community connection to the land."

In the long term it is hoped to expand the release programme so isolated breeding colonies can be connected along the south coast, in a bid to emulate the chough's successful reintroduction in Cornwall.