Corncrake Recovery: Agricultural Practices and Population Rebound

The corncrake has recovered in parts of its former UK range through targeted changes to grassland management.

Key Facts

Corncrake populations collapsed in the 20th century due to mechanised cutting of hay meadows.
The UK population fell to under 500 calling males by the early 1990s, mainly in the Scottish islands.
RSPB corncrake-friendly mowing schemes — cutting from the inside out and leaving refuge strips — dramatically reduced mortality.
The Scottish island population has recovered to over 1,200 calling males.
Corncrakes are night-calling birds; survey methods rely on listening at dawn and dusk in June.
Iris beds and nettles at field margins provide essential early-season cover before crops develop.

Welfare Considerations

Individual corncrake welfare is directly linked to grassland management. Conventional mowing at high speed from the outside in traps corncrakes in diminishing circles and causes high mortality. Welfare-friendly mowing avoids the worst mortality but does not eliminate risk entirely. Habitat enhancement — cover crops, iris margins — provides refuges that reduce stress and mortality throughout the breeding season.

What You Can Do

If you manage grassland in corncrake-inhabited areas, adopt recommended cutting practices.
Report corncrake calls immediately to the RSPB so management advice can be provided.
Support agri-environment scheme participation by farmers in corncrake strongholds.
Donate to RSPB corncrake recovery work in Scotland and Ireland.