Choughs appear at Tintagel Castle for first time in decades

Several magnificent, red-billed and red-legged birds connected to the legend of King Arthur have been spotted at an historic site in Cornwall, for the first time in decades.

Choughs - pronounced "chuffs" - were seen roosting at Tintagel Castle in southwest England. According to Cornish legend, it is the birthplace of the mythical, Medieval king.

A spokesperson for English Heritage said it was "extraordinary" to see the birds after hearing the local legends.

"It's a rare moment where nature and myth seem to meet," they added

The birds hadn't been seen in the area since the 1970s, but sightings and numbers of choughs have been increasing in Cornwall since a breeding pair arrived 2021.

National bird charity the RSPB said following significant conservation efforts, more than 100 choughlets were born in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Choughs are part of the Crow family and eat insects and larvae. They are master fliers and regularly show off their skills with dramatic displays of diving and swooping.

The birds are also found on the Isle of Man and the west coasts of Wales and Ireland.

King Arthur's soul was said to live on in the form of a chough and the bird is a key symbol of Cornwall.

The legend of King Arthur was first written in a collection of Welsh medieval tales. This is the literary character who is associated with knights of the Round Table and the search for the Holy Grail.

He may have been based on based on a historical figure who fought the invading Anglo-Saxons in the fifth or sixth century.

While historians haven't been unable to confirm King Arthur was a real person, his legend has inspired amazing stories and works of literature and art.