Wildlife

Wild Animal Welfare and Corncrake Recovery 2026

Corncrakes returned to breed in England and Scotland following management interventions, with their welfare and conservation success being celebrated.

Key Facts

Corncrakes declined catastrophically due to mechanised hay cutting starting in the 1950s
Ireland, Scotland and re-colonising English populations benefit from delayed cutting regimes
Male corncrakes call relentlessly at night to attract mates during the breeding season
RSPB corncrake breeding programs in Nene Washes and elsewhere have established new populations
Delayed cutting agreements with farmers protect nesting corncrakes from machinery mortality

Welfare Considerations

Corncrake recovery demonstrates the power of targeted farming practice change. Delayed cutting saves individual birds from machinery mortality and enables breeding success.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB corncrake recovery programs
Advocate for delayed cutting agri-environment scheme payments for farmers
Report corncrake calls to population monitoring programs