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End of season update by Tim Gordon
The final tally of Corncrakes in Sligo in 2009 was a minimum of six calling males, representing the most confirmed in the county since the Corncrake conservation project began, in 1994.
Four Corncrakes are thought to have started the season on Oyster Island, one or two of these being later heard on Coney Island. It was probably one of these which was later reported heard in Strandhill, in both June and July, near the golf course, and also in early July on the other side of town, near the old church. Two Corncrakes were heard on Ardboline Island in mid June, one of which is thought to have moved to Ballintemple (following a pattern observed in recent seasons, when vegetation dies back on the island), where it was heard in early July. A report of one being heard near Carrowmore in early July could not be confirmed.
As ever, the count is a minimum. It is quite possible that some of these records refer to additional birds, but where this can’t be confirmed, these are not added to the total.
There was no mowing or summer grazing at any of these main sites this summer, so it is hoped and expected that breeding at all sites progressed without disruption from farming and should lead to a stronger return next year. No reports of sightings of Corncrake chicks or juveniles were received.
Elsewhere in the West, 22 Corncrakes were recorded in Erris (20 of them on the Mullet Peninsula), nine were counted in South-west Mayo (near Roonagh), and 11 in Connemara, a total of 48 in West Connacht, representing a 14% increase on last year. This matches the 14% increase in 2008, and follows increases of 5% in 2007, 3% in 2006, 6% in 2005, 18% in 2004 and 27% in 2003. Corncrake numbers here have now not seen a year-on-year decline since 2000, when the population dropped to 14, the lowest count to date in the West.
Nationally, 67 Corncrakes were counted in Donegal (down from 92 last year), six in the Shannon Callows (up from four last year), three at Valentia, Co Kerry, two in Co Louth and one in Co Waterford, yielding a national total of 127 calling Corncrakes in 2009 (down from 142 last year).
The last reported calling Corncrake of the season in the West came from Inishturbot (Clifden Bay), where one was still calling as late as 1 September. This was also the site of the first calling Corncrake of the season, on 30 March. Both are exceptional early and late records.
Throughout the West Connacht region, 134 farmers, landowners and mowing contractors signed-up for the Corncrake Grant Scheme. Mowing or grazing was delayed in 426 hectares (1,020 acres), and 234 hectares (818 acres) were cut by Corncrake-friendly mowing (CFM), within the 250 metre radii of the established nocturnal calling perches of male Corncrakes. This represents 79% of the land area delayed and 85% entered into either the delay or CFM option of the grant scheme.
162 reports in all were made to the telephone hotline or via email. Many thanks to all who reported hearing a Corncrake this year. As ever, these reports were vital in helping track down and follow the birds and enable conservation measures be taken.