Corncrake Caller ID

20th April 2020

Corncrakes will be arriving back on Skye anytime now. Over the past 8 years, the calls of some of the Corncrakes which have visited Skye were recorded and analysed to see if wee can tell different males apart. This has been done using mobile phones by making a voice memo or viseo, then creating a sonogram and analysing it. The results so far have been very interesting and we are keen to get more recordings this year, however, withthe lockdown, we're relying on local people to get the recordings. If you hear a Corncrake calling from your garden, croft, or while on your daily exercise (staying within Govt guidelines), why not record it?

Here's how:

1.On your phone, make a 20 second recording of the calling bird - a voice memo or video or whatever. If you can hear it, then it can be analysed so no need for close range or still conditions.

2. Save the recording as the location you heard it, the date and time eg Idrigill-29 April 2230. If this is a problem go to 3.

3. Share the recording/video (press the '...' or look for share option.

4. Send to this website or to corncrakes2020@gmail.com facebook messenger at Corncrakes Skye.

Please note Corncrakes are extremely rare and protected under Schedule 1 so it is really important not to approach or disturb them in any way - please stay on the road or path. For more information contact corncrakes2020@gmail.com

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