Current status
Over the past 100 years the corncrake has shown a sustained decline in numbers in the UK and a contraction in range. By the early 1970s there were only 3,250 calling males, falling to 478 in 1993. Over 90% of calling males are located in the Hebrides, with the remainder mainly in Orkney. There are very few in England and Wales and, in recent years, few calling males in Northern Ireland.
The corncrake is a globally threatened species. It is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annex 1 of the EC Birds Directive. In the UK it is protected under Schedule 1 of the WCA 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Loss of traditional grassland habitat mosaics, especially tall vegetation throughout the breeding season.
Changes in grass management and cutting techniques (e.g. earlier cutting).
Predation and disturbance may be contributing to the decline in some localities.
Current action
Approximately 10% of the British corncrake population is protected on RSPB reserves.
Corncrake grant schemes, funded by DoE(NI), RSPB, SNH and Scottish Crofters` Union under their joint Corncrake Initiative, provide incentives for corncrake-friendly grass cutting and management to protect corncrakes, but it is hoped to supersede this approach by improved ESA prescriptions with advice to land managers.
Action plan objectives and targets
Halt the decline in UK corncrake population size.
Halt the decline in UK corncrake range.
Maintain the numbers of corncrakes in the UK at or above the 1993 level (488 singing males).
Maintain the range of corncrakes in the UK at or above the 1993 level (87 occupied 10km squares).
By 1998, increase the range of the corncrake in Britain to at least the same number of 10km squares occupied in 1988 (90 squares).
By 1998, increase the number of corncrakes in Britain to at least the number present in 1988 (573 singing males).
In the longer-term, re-establish corncrakes in parts of its former range in the UK.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Support and promote the uptake of corncrake grant schemes for this species in Scotland and Northern Ireland. (ACTION: DoE(NI), SOAEFD)
Support and promote the uptake of ESA agreements and review the effectiveness of existing ESAs for this species in Scotland, i.e. the Outer Hebrides machair, Argyll Islands and Shetland. Seek to improve where necessary. (ACTION: SNH, SOAEFD)
If existing ESAs are effective as conservation measures, consider designating remaining core corncrake areas in the Western Isles, Inner Hebrides and Orkney as ESAs, to encourage continued hay production and sympathetic management. (ACTION: SOAEFD)
Develop and promote measures for traditional crofting land management in areas supporting this species. (ACTION: SOAEFD)
Site safeguard and management
Seek to secure favourable management on all suitable land within designated sites, and in all non-designated areas supporting populations of corncrake. (ACTION: DANI, DoE(NI), SNH, SOAEFD)
Consider designating sites of particular importance as SSSI. (ACTION: SNH)
Species management and protection
Seek to reduce damage to nests and mortality of adults and young from mowing operations by wardening and promoting corncrake-friendly techniques. (ACTION: DANI, DoE(NI), SNH, SOAEFD)
Ensure crofters and small farmers are advised of risks to species from predation by domestic cats, and support local mink and ferret control, preventing their spread to new areas. (ACTION: DANI, DoE(NI), SNH, SOAEFD)
Advisory
Provide advice to agricultural advisors, and to all those managing corncrake areas on corncrake-friendly cutting methods and other beneficial management practices. (ACTION: DANI, SOAEFD)
Provide advice on corncrake-friendly management techniques to agricultural colleges to aid their inclusion in land management courses. (ACTION: DoE(NI), SNH)
Future Research and Monitoring
Conduct a full survey of the breeding population of corncrake in Britain and Northern Ireland every five years. (ACTION: DoE(NI), SNH, RSPB, NE, CCW)
Study economic, technical and agronomic aspects of modifying grassland management in key corncrake areas to benefit the species. (ACTION: DANI, DoE(NI), SNH)
Investigate the responses of corncrakes to approaching mowing machinery, and conduct "after mowing" surveys to assess the density of nests and broods, and the mortality rate. Seek to identify the least damaging time for mowing. (ACTION: DoE(NI), SNH)
Investigate levels of mortality due to cat, mink and feral ferret predation and assess the possibility of reducing mortality. (ACTION: DoE(NI), SNH)
Encourage annual monitoring of breeding numbers and periodic surveys of habitat at key sites. (ACTION: DoE(NI), SNH)
Review the factors affecting corncrake migration and wintering grounds. (ACTION: DoE(NI), JNCC, SNH)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to JNCC or BRC so that it can be incorporated in national databases. (ACTION: DoE(NI), SNH)
Provide information annually to Birdlife International on the UK status of the species to contribute to maintenance of an up-to-date global red list. (ACTION: JNCC)
Communications and Publicity
Consider projects to develop controlled "green tourism" based on the species. (ACTION: SNH, Tourist Authorities)
Consider publishing a Code of Practice for birdwatching, to reduce the pressure on this species from birdwatchers in sensitive areas. (ACTION: DoE(NI), SNH)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report - Volume II: Action Plans (December 1995, Tranche 1, Vol 2, p102)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species