Wild Corncrake Ireland Recovery | Animal Welfare Hub

Corncrake population recovery in Ireland represents a major conservation success achieved through targeted agri-environment measures.

Key Facts

Irish corncrake populations recovered from under 150 calling males in 1993 to over 200 by 2000
Corncrake-friendly mowing regimes requiring late cutting from outside edges in are core to recovery
Agri-environment scheme payments to farmers provide economic incentive for welfare-compatible management
Irish corncrake recovery demonstrates that targeted agri-environment investment can reverse farmland bird decline
Males produce a persistent rasping call heard throughout the night during breeding season

Welfare Considerations

Corncrakes killed during early hay cutting die from traumatic machinery injuries. The Irish recovery program prevents thousands of these deaths annually through timing and technique adjustments.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment programs that incentivize corncrake-friendly cutting in Ireland and Scotland
Donate to BirdWatch Ireland and RSPB programs monitoring and supporting corncrake recovery
Advocate for expanded agri-environment funding that extends corncrake-friendly management to new areas