AC-2024-CDF-00018 - [2025] EWHC 2249 (Admin)

The description of the site area of the ACW SSSI in the Countryside Council for Wales citation said that “the sea cliffs provide roosts and nest sites for nationally important populations of chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, and less black-headed gull Larus fuscus”. The section on the biology of the site included the following:

“The site is of special interest because it supports over 3% of the national population of both breeding and non-breeding chough. Chough nest in crevices on cliffs between south Ceredigion and north Pembrokeshire. A rocky stretch of coastline at Craig yr Adar near New Quay supports an important seabird population including the only known breeding colony of kittiwakes in Ceredigion. The grassland plateau on Cardigan Island supports a significant breeding population of the lesser black-backed gull. Since the early 1990s, this species has been in decline from many other sites making this colony one of national importance.”

Consistent with that citation the NRW management statement for the ACW SSSI identified those three bird species as being among the features of special scientific interest and said as follows in respect of choughs:

“Chough

Disturbance of breeding and roosting sites

Sheltered crevices and recesses on the cliff faces in some areas are used for breeding and roosting and it is important that these specific locations remain undisturbed, particularly during the breeding season from March to July and at dusk during the autumn and winter months.

Maintenance of suitable feeding habitat

Chough feed on invertebrates living in short unimproved turf and bare ground. Appropriate grazing of coastal grassland areas is therefore important to maintain these areas. In addition, invertebrates associated with dung, particularly of cattle and horses, can be an important food source so the use of ‘ivermectins’, should be avoided in key areas. The outwintering of stock is beneficial.”