After a late start to the season, BirdWatch Ireland report numerous Corncrakes being recorded arriving over the last week. These now rare birds spend the winter in southern Africa before making the 6,000 mile migration to return here to their nesting grounds. Driven to the edge of extinction across much of Western Europe by changes in farming, they have retained a foothold in several Irish strongholds, especially the North Donegal islands, where this year’s first Corncrake was reported, on April 22nd, on the island of  Gola.

Anyone wanting to hear a Corncrake in Sligo should head for Rosses Point, where last week at least 3 calling birds were reported on and around Oyster Island. These birds are clearly audible from the promenade at Rosses Point. Visiting birdwatchers equipped with telescopes may be lucky enough to see this elusive bird perched on walls on the island. One has also already returned to Coney Island, after the first in many years was heard here last year.  In Mayo they are already reported calling on the Erris Peninsula at Carn House, Carn Hill, Termoncarragh, Fallmore and, as in the last two years, in Belmullet town itself. There are also early-season reports again this year from Aghany, near Roonagh pier, south of Louisburgh, with 4 or more calling birds being heard here already.  This is a hopeful sign that this area is being recolonised. In Connemara, as many as 10 or 11 birds have so far been reported on offshore islands, with the best place to hear them being the traditional Corncrake meadows at East End village, Inishbofin, or on Omey Island (which is easily accessible by car or on foot across the strand at low tide). Corncrakes continue to arrive through May and early June.

Rarely seen, Corncrakes stand about 10 inches tall, with distinctive chestnut-coloured wings, long, grey-blue coloured necks, and long legs which trail behind them as they fly and which more often carry them fast and low over the ground as they run through long grass. Just occassionally they will show themselves perching on a rock or stone-wall to deliver their call, which is mostly delivered from a hidden place in meadowland and is best heard between midnight and 3 am (although they can also be heard sometimes during daytime). It can be an exceptionally loud and far-carrying sound, often described as like a ratchet being turned, always in couplets, sometimes continuously for several hours. Any calm or mild night from now til early or mid July is the best time to hear them. They may be difficult to hear if it is windy.

The Corncrake conservation programme, which offers grants to farmers for Corncrake-friendly measures in fields confirmed by BirdWatch within a breeding territory, will continue this year. Funded by the National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the scheme offers grants to farmers for delayed mowing and grazing and for Corncrake-friendly mowing (i.e. from the centre out to the sides). Last year in the West, 113 landowners signed-up and 342 hectares (845 acres) were entered for Corncrake-friendly mowing and/or the delay of mowing or grazing until August 1st or later. The scheme is showing signs of success. In Donegal, 104 calling Corncrakes were recorded in 2007, while in the West, last year’s total of 37 was the highest recorded in the last two decades, up from a low point of just 14 in the year 2000. Numbers in the Shannon Callows have been heavily hit in recent years by mid-summer floods, which once again destroyed nests in the middle of the breeding season last year, when just 9 calling birds were confirmed. Nationally, 150 male corncrakes were counted in 2007.

This year’s telephone hotline number for Corncrake reports in Sligo, Mayo and Connemara is 095 44941. “The conservation effort relies on reports from anyone hearing a Corncrake,” says BirdWatch’s Tim Gordon, “so please get in touch if you hear one.” For reports in Donegal, please ring 074 91 65117; for anywhere else, 057 91 51676). Alternatively, reports are also welcome via email, to  adonaghy@birdwatchireland.ie. Visit  www.birdwatchireland.ie or www. birdwatchmayo.org to hear a recording of a Corncrake calling or for more information on BirdWatch Ireland events, campaigns or membership.