Skye Annual Corncrake Survey
24th November 2024
2024 has been our best year for Corncrakes for quite some time with a count of 27 males. Only 14 were counted last year so this is a very welcome increase. We don’t have a total count for Scotland as some of the usual survey areas were not covered this year however all indications are that numbers are pretty similar to last year (850-900 males). Our first report came in from Waternish on the 19 April and the latest report of a sighting was in the first week of October, reminding us that Corncrakes are around even if not calling.
A special mention is due for our neighbours on Canna. This tiny island,owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland, successfully attracted 12-14 males this year – their mixed stock farm is clearly providing excellent conditions for Corncrakes.
The RSPB Scotland led Corncrake Calling project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is in its final year. It funds the Corncrake Initiative, a scheme which promotes delaying mowing until the first brood of chicks has hatched (August), and Wildlife Friendly Mowing (mowing fields from the inside outwards allows birds to reach safe refuges without breaking out of the cover of the tall grasses). It was rewarding for us and the crofters and farmers who willingly signed up to do their bit for Corncrakes, that our numbers showed such a big increase.
As you all know Corncrakes like to stay hidden in tall vegetation so much of what they do is invisible to us. Their one big “tell” is their call and for the past few years we have been tracking individual males through the season using their call patterns. We received nearly 140 mobile phone recordings this year (many thanks to Skye Birds reporters!). We tracked one male for 90 days (average 35 days, N=27). One bird travelled 26km and the average distance travelled was 8km so they do a fair bit of moving around through the season. Eleven of last years patterns definitely did not return this year and 7 similar patterns showed up again this year. We can’t say they are definitely the same birds who have returned as some patterns are quite alike but there is a possibility. You can find out more http://www.robertarnold.co.uk/crex/crex2.htm.
Thank you to Bob and the contributors at Skye Birds for all your support!
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