Increase in Skye’s corncrake numbers bucks Scotland-wide trend - SRUC
An annual survey of corncrakes in Scotland recorded an increase in the number of calling males on Skye - despite a three per cent reduction overall in Scotland.
RSPB Scotland’s annual survey of corncrakes recorded 14 calling males in Skye in 2022, a slight increase from the ten recorded in 2021.
However, overall in Scotland only 824 calling males were recorded in 2022 compared to 850 in 2021, reflecting the ongoing challenges the species is facing. While this three percent decline is smaller than some of the previous recent year on year reductions, it is a continuation of a downward trend since the record high of 1289 males in 2014.
The results highlight the importance of work being done by the Skye Crofting and Corncrake Partnership (SCCP), involving SAC Consulting - part of SRUC, RSPB Scotland, NFU Scotland and the Scottish Crofting Federation to help local farmers and crofters manage their land to improve Skye’s corncrake population.
The SCCP is key to helping crofters and farmers access support from the RSPB Scotland-led Corncrake Calling project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – thanks to players of the National Lottery, and the Scottish Government’s Agri-Environment-Climate Scheme (AECS).
Corncrakes are counted across 16 areas in Scotland, with surveyors listening out for the distinctive ‘crex crex’ call of the male birds. With so few corncrakes in the country, Skye’s population is vitally important.
Practical methods used on ‘high nature value’ landscapes to benefit the species include delayed mowing, corncrake-friendly mowing and leaving uncut areas of grassland on field margins to provide cover for birds; curtailing grazing to preserve areas of tall vegetation in spring and summer to allow birds to nest and raise broods; and establishing clumps of tall plants such as iris, nettles, meadowsweet, cow parsley or hogweed.
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Posted On: 01/12/2022