Bird Sightings: Corncrake

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Bird Sightings : Hebrides : Corncrake

Corncrake

Crex crex

Photograph © Steve Round
North Uist - Outer Hebrides (Western Isles)
17 May 2005

Our corncrake photographs :

Corncrake
Corncrake
Corncrake

Corncrake notes

In 1993 there were only 470 calling male Corncrakes recorded in Scotland, and the species was considered as heading toward extinction (as breeders) in the UK.

Crofters and farmers, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs have worked together toward halting the species decline.

In 2006 as a result of this work 1,141 calling males were recorded in Scotland.The highest number recorded by RSPB Scotland in 28 years.

Male Corncrakes calling in the Western Isles

2006 430

2005 428

2004 585

(The figures above are unverified)

Naomi Mitchison, born 1897 wrote "he said it over and over again like a corncrake...."

Rather well put.
A male corncrake can call 20,000 times in one night, can be heard a mile away, and can call without pause for 6 hours.

The main period for calling is between midnight and 3am.
(under your bedroom window just when it is hot enough to want to leave it open...)

Steve Round has a web site of his stunning photography, visit it to see other pictures of the Corncrake at a higher resolution. http://www.stevenround-birdphotography.com

Other local bird photographs

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