WATCH: Nestflix and chill! New livestream service for nature lovers launched

A NEW livestream, built for the purpose of watching Chough bird nests, has been launched. 

The government agency National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which manages the Irish State's nature conservation responsibilities, launched the free streaming service this Tuesday, March 12.

Two livestream cameras have been set up in Co Cork where two Chough nests sit. In order to overcome the threats that the endangered bird species face, the NPWS has erected Chough nest boxes at vulnerable sites.

They have nested in a purpose-built box in a barn in West Cork for a number of years, successfully birthing young most years.

The aim is to observe the changing nesting habits of the Chough families, scientifically called Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Members of the public and nature lovers alike are encouraged to tune in and watch Chough pairs, as they go about building their nests and rearing their chicks.

Clare Heardman, NPWS district conservation officer said: “The livestream ‘Nestflix’ cam will allow better understanding of some of these factors which impact on the Chough population, and how we can protect the population in the future.

“The breeding behaviour of Chough is normally hidden from human eyes because of their traditional crevice-nesting habit, so the cameras will provide a rare glimpse into all stages of breeding from nest-building to the chicks fledging.”

There are up to 900 pairs of Chough breeding in Ireland, with 30% of the national population found in Co Cork. 

In recent years, NPWS Conservation Rangers based in Co Cork have observed some Chough pairs moving from their traditional coastal sites, where they mainly nest in crevices in sea cliffs, to building their nests further inland in old buildings – including cattlesheds, haybarns, derelict cottages and even bridges.

Research by NPWS staff suggests that around a third of the Chough population in Co Cork is now nesting in buildings.