First time in 200 years: Red-Billed bird takes historic flight as chough returns to England

A rare event occurred in Southeast England, where a wild-born red-billed chough took to the skies for the first time in over 200 years. The young chough took flight from a wild nest in Dover. This is the first such event that has taken place in more than two centuries in which the bird has lived independently in the wild in Kent. The red-billed chough, once a common sight in Kent, disappeared from the county over 200 years ago, primarily because of habitat loss.

Chough Release Supervisor at Wildwood Trust, Liz Corry, has said that the fledgling is a powerful indicator that the species is starting to re-establish itself naturally in the region. “This is a moment we’ve all been hoping for. To see a wild chick not only hatch but also fledge and take to the skies is a major step forward. It confirms that the birds are finding suitable nesting habitat and pairing up to raise young—exactly what we’ve been working towards,” Liz Corry said, as quoted by Good News Network.

Red-billed chough and its cultural ties to Kent

The red-billed chough remains an important cultural symbol in the region—most notably featured on Canterbury’s coat of arms and linked to the legend of Thomas Becket, where the bird’s red beak and legs are said to be stained by the martyr’s blood.

Earlier in 2025, during the spring season, a nest was found at Dover Castle that produced the chick, which successfully fledged in July, according to Good News Network.

Conservationists call it ‘remarkable’ milestone

According to conservationists, this “remarkable” milestone arrives three years following the launch of a reintroduction program led by Wildwood Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, and Paradise Park. The five-year plan of the project is to introduce up to 50 birds to the Southeast region.

The Kent population is part of a larger plan to connect chough populations across southern England, led by a team including Natural England and other conservation experts. They shared that years of efforts to restore and manage key chalk grassland habitats in East Kent have created a strong foundation for the birds’ comeback.

Kent Wildlife Trust has partnered with landowners and groups like the National Trust and White Cliffs Countryside Partnership to reintroduce grazing areas, providing the perfect environment for these crow-family birds to feed and breed. “This project shows what’s possible when long-term habitat restoration meets ambitious species recovery,” said Paul Hadaway, Director of Conservation and Engagement at Kent Wildlife Trust, as quoted by Good News Network.

“A thriving chough population in Kent not only revives a lost species, it also proves the value of restoring rare habitats like chalk grassland, which are vital for a huge range of wildlife.”