Wildlife

Wild Corncrake Population Recovery Ireland

Corncrakes are more numerous in Ireland than the UK and conservation management there provides lessons for broader recovery.

Key Facts

Ireland holds the majority of the UK and Irish corncrake population
Traditional hay meadow management with late cutting supports breeding
The Shannon Callows and western Irish grasslands are key breeding areas
Agri-environment payments for late cutting have stabilised the Irish population
Corncrakes call at night and are heard far more often than seen

Welfare Considerations

Corncrake chicks killed by early silage cutting suffer traumatic deaths. The welfare interventions that protect them - late cutting dates and cutting direction that drives chicks to field edges - are well-established and delivered through agri-environment payments. Expanding these payments and areas is the primary welfare and conservation tool.

What You Can Do

Support corncrake agri-environment schemes in Ireland and Scotland
Donate to organisations monitoring corncrake breeding success
Advocate for late cutting requirements in agricultural policy