Corncrakes on Skye 2015

27th April 2015

Corncrakes are returning to their breeding grounds at this time of year and already we have at least one calling male here on Skye. This signals the start of the RSPB annual corncrake survey! Corncrakes are famous for their ability to be heard but not seen and they spend most of their time hiding in tall vegetation. Flag iris, reed or nettle beds, or indeed any rough field margins, are favoured until the hay and silage meadows begin to grow. The repetitive, rasping call of the male is best heard late at night but they do call through the day too. They are found mainly on croft land but please don’t go into the meadows. We always advise to listen for them from the roadside to avoid damaging the hay and silage. If you hear a corncrake (day or night!) I would really appreciate a call, email or text saying where you heard it and when. Or let Bob at Skye-birds.com know. All reports from Skye Birds visitors are extremely helpful with the count of corncrakes on Skye. If you would like to know more about the work RSPB is doing on Skye for corncrakes please feel free to get in touch. Thanks and have a great summer!

All reports are greatly appreciated either through this website or directly to Shelagh Parlane on 07771545409 or email shelagh.parlane@rspb.org.uk

THE BOOK

"A glorious little gem"

AMAZON

"A book such as this has to look backwards and the author does so succinctly, looking at the work of several of the pioneering naturalists before picking out the publications of JA Harvie-Brown and the Rev. Hugh Macpherson. I know this book fills a real gap in the information available for the Isle of Skye and it will surely sell well at local bookshops."

Andrew Currie Miscellany West Highland Free Press

"A total of 238 species have been recorded, with 14 of those 'red listed' as of high conservation concern ... another innovation has been the inclusion of Gaelic names for some birds. While this is not uncommon in a few other books, the addition of some regional Gaelic names is very unusual and very welcome."

Ray Collier Country Diary 'Up in the Skye' The Guardian

"Illustrated with beautiful photographs of current birdlife on the island, the publication also features sketches by Jean Thomas of The Little Gallery, Portnalong, stimulating the reader's interest further and allowing them to identify species they encounter on Skye."

The Hebridean