Nottingham RSPB
local group

Keep An Ear Out For A Crake

One of the UK's rarest birds is being surveyed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which is also asking the public for help.

As part of a new survey of the UK's Corncrakes, the general public are being asked to listen for their distinctive song. As they largely sing at dusk, through the night and very early in the morning, the RSPB is asking postmen, milkmen, newspaper deliverers, health visitors, farm workers and anyone who might be out and about at such hours to be especially alert.

Corncrakes spend most of their time hidden in tall vegetation and the only clue to their presence is their song. May and June are the best months to listen as the birds have just arrived from their winter quarters in Africa and are eager to set up territory and find a mate. The male sings his rather monotonous song which has a rasping, buzzing quality and consists of two notes 'crake-crake' repeated frequently, sometimes for hours at a time.

A special Corncrake Hotline has been set up to take calls from anyone who thinks they have heard a Corncrake. Details of date, time of day, place and habitat will all be needed to help confirm the record. To pass on details of a record, ring 01767 680551 and ask for the Corncrake Hotline.

Once fairly widespread across the UK, the Corncrake has declined in numbers and range this century and is now largely confined to the islands off the west of Scotland and the northern isles of Orkney and Shetland. Every year birds are found calling in areas away from the main core of its range and it is these birds which the RSPB is keen to hear about.

The Corncrake survey is taking place from May 20th to July 10th and only birds which are singing during this period will be counted. Records of any birds heard before this date are still needed as the birds might stay.

Dr. David Gibbons, RSPB head of monitoring and surveys, said: "Corncrakes will sometimes stop and sing on their way to breeding areas further north, and there is always the chance that some may find a suitable field and try to set up territory in earnest. We need to know where these birds are, especially if they attempt to breed, and the only way is to ask for help from anyone who might hear them. Postmen and milkmen are just some of the people who might hear them on their travels. The Hotline is their chance to help save these threatened birds."

Additional Notes

1. The decline in number and range of Corncrakes reflects the changes in agricultural practices which have taken place since the 19th century. The mechanisation of grass cutting combined with earlier cutting dates have led to greater mortality and losses of nests. Mowing is later in the north and west of Scotland and this has become the last stronghold for the species.
2. More than 90% of the Corncrake's breeding population is monitored annually but this year a fuller survey is taking place. Since the last full survey in 1993 there has been a 43% increase in population in the core breeding area which may mean more birds elsewhere.
3. The 1993 survey found a total of 480 singing birds, with most of these on the Hebridean Islands. This total represented a decline of 17% since 1988 and 34% since 1978.
4. In 1997 a total of 668 singing birds was recorded. There were at least 34 reports of Corncrakes outside the main breeding areas which 21 were confirmed as genuine.
5. The recent reversal of Cirncrake decline in Scotland has been brought about through a recovery programme which has been organised by the RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage and, from 1992-6, the EU's LIFE Nature programme. This has involved: reserve purchase and management; grant schemes to fund delayed mowing; promotion of agri-environment schemes to help Corncrakes.
6. As a globally threatened bird the Corncrake is a priority species for action under the Government's Biodiversity Action Plan and together with the Scottish Office Agricultural, Environment and Fisheries Department the RSPB is lead partner for implementing the plan.

Chris Harbard
RSPB press officer
01767 681577

David Gibbons
RSPB head of monitoring and surveys
01767 680551